Jester said:
Ilya was actually making more in Russia than he would have in the NHL this past season... that won't continue long term, but will be interesting to watch. SI or whoever had that article on Vinny and Richards, in it they talked about Ilya's situation... he wouldn't be high on my list of people to cross.
If a guy with an NHL contract crosses the line I do believe the owner would be forced to honor the contract that the player previously had. If we reach this point, the players will cross. It happens everytime. Prior to the MLB thing getting worked out, big time players were already starting to say they were going to cross... i specifically remember Dykstra on ESPN saying he was going to cross the line. NFL players did when push came to shove... so will NHL players.
they fail to realize that they do not own this business and are not capable of creating the business they enjoyed working under. they WILL realize this if we ever reach the replacement player stage. why go to the hassle to start up a grassroots league, playing in small arena's for the gate money, or in Europe for a lot less money, when you could simply say, "okay, here's your cap" and be making millions of dollars.
end game approaches one way or another.
Exactly how I think it will play out. I cannot guess who crosses first but plenty will.
My timeline:
1. NHL starts to signal that replacement player will be used if a deal is not done by mid-july.
2. Deadline passes and the NHL teams fire up the operation, calling agents, players, etc. They self impose a 40 million cap.
3. All RFAs who intend to cross are invited to negotiate a deal.
4. At first, a few of the younger guys (rookie contract types) cross. Then the lower 300 guys trickle in (their careers are too short waste another year). Then come the older name players nearing retirement (want to get another year in before retirement). Then the army of European, Russian, etc. that have little need for a union.
5. Then rosters are filled out with AHL guys and jumping juniors cutting their first contracts.
6. Finally, the Iginlas, Modanos and Roenicks give in.
The season starts on time and by November, after some player musical chairs, it's business as usual in the new NHL
End game.
