Benji Frank said:
I just see no reason for the NHL to unlock the doors at this stage. They've made absolutely no progress in negotiations & do not want to operate under the previous CBA. The lines been drawn. Why give the players anything?? It won't soften their stance.......
The point is not to soften the player's stand. The point is that it is very hard to put financial pressure on guys who are millionaires many times over. There are several excellent reasons to lift the lockout while agreeing to play under the old CBA for another year:
1) They get to play the profitable half of the year, keeping most of the TV money and sponsorship cash. The crowds are much bigger in the second half of the season and in the playoffs, the players play for free.
2) The plan will be to reinstate the lockout again next September and again plan to do without the least profitable games. By lifting the lockout suddenly in January the European leagues will have to scramble to replace 300 players on short notice. This may make them less willing to hire NHL players next year.
3) A lot of star players now have a "Nolan" clause in their contracts. Unless they play 40 games this year, the player has the option of extending the contract. This is an obvious incentive to play 40 games this year.
4) If they are eventually aiming at impasse, lifting the lockout while tabling a new offer (with cost certainty of course) is evidence of good faith bargaining and will help if it ever gets to the NLRB.
5) A whole bunch of difficult legal questions become moot. They will be able to hold a draft. They will be able to make qualifying offers and retain the rights to players.
6) They will award a Stanley Cup. They will not push hockey completely out of the minds of the new fans in non-traditional markets.
7) For the third consecutive summer, an impending work stoppage, possible salary cap will inhibit free agent signings.
I can't think of a single thing the owners gain by not playing the second half of the season and they have a lot to lose. Why not?
Tom