Bicycle Repairman said:
Well, they should be. Isn't that supposed to be Walkom's job?
Do you really think the NHL is going to get into negotiations with the NHLOA without a CBA with the NHLPA?
All Walkom is doing, is saying something that he thinks will help the process for the NHL-NHLPA CBA, so that the NHL and NHLOA can sit down and discuss their CBA.
getnziggywidit said:
Why should the NHLOA be concerned about the state of the league? That's ridiculous!
It's pretty simple really. Without NHL hockey, NHLOA members (aside from those on two-way NHL/AHL contracts) do not have jobs, thus their CBA with the NHL is useless.
Bicycle Repairman said:
Why shouldn't the NHL play hardball with the officials?
Unless the NHLOA demands that their salaries increase by at least double, the NHL has no reason to play hardball with them.
There is no reason for the NHLOA to show any solidarity with the NHLPA. Walkom knows that the NHL cannot survive under what the NHLPA wants. Why would he stand behind their philosophies that will just have NHLOA members out of jobs sooner or later?
If I was an NHLOA member, I would support the league as well. Players make at least tenfold what the officials do. I'm not saying officials should make millions, or as much as players. After all, the game is about the players. However, the average referee making $150k while the average player makes seven figures isn't right. If the players start making less money, then the NHLOA has a lot less cause to demand higher salaries for their members.