How the NHL CBA works

[John Flyers Fan]

Gilbert Brule

Years 1-4
Base salary $850K

For arguments sake we'll say that in years 3 & 4 he hits his bonuses and makes an extra $250K

Come year 5 the NHL has scrapped arbitration altogether, and the UFA age has dropped to 28.

Brule is now 22, and has 6 years before he becomes a UFA. He can't hold-out. He can't file for arbitration.

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.


Year 1 - $850K
Year 2 - $850K
year 3 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 4 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 5 - $800K
Year 6 - " "
Year 7 - " "
Year 8 - " "
Year 9 - " "
Year 10 - " "
Year 11 - UFA

Click to read more...

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.

But just like the old CBA he can sit out and refuse to play for such a salary. That tactic worked well in the past with RFA's garnering big raises. Don't see why it wouldn't work in the future either.

 

[Jobu]

But just like the old CBA he can sit out and refuse to play for such a salary. That tactic worked well in the past with RFA's garnering big raises. Don't see why it wouldn't work in the future either.

Sigh. Do you people even read? He can't hold out, because he has to be signed 14 days prior to camp or he can't play.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

But just like the old CBA he can sit out and refuse to play for such a salary. That tactic worked well in the past with RFA's garnering big raises. Don't see why it wouldn't work in the future either.

Not really. He couldn't do what Havlat or Gaborik did, and then sign once the season has began. He'd have to sit the full year.


I'm not at all in favor of holding out, that's why arbitration must be part of the CBA. Unless they want to drop the UFA age down to 24 or so (something else I'm not in favor of)

 

[Jobu]

Gilbert Brule

Years 1-4
Base salary $850K

For arguments sake we'll say that in years 3 & 4 he hits his bonuses and makes an extra $250K

Come year 5 the NHL has scrapped arbitration altogether, and the UFA age has dropped to 28.

Brule is now 22, and has 6 years before he becomes a UFA. He can't hold-out. He can't file for arbitration.

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.


Year 1 - $850K
Year 2 - $850K
year 3 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 4 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 5 - $637,350
Year 6 - " "
Year 7 - " "
Year 8 - " "
Year 9 - " "
Year 10 - " "
Year 11 - UFA

This is an excellent analysis and an idea of just how far apart the parties are, despite what on the surface looks like concessions being made from the owners' cronies.

 

[Levitate]

he'll be forced to sit out for an entire season if he sits out

but i don't think the NHL will get the ability to scrap arbitration at their discretion, the NHLPA isn't gonna go for that one

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Sigh. Do you people even read? He can't hold out, because he has to be signed 14 days prior to camp or he can't play.

So? Both Peca and Kovalev sat out entire seasons to make more money.

I guess it depends how much Brule's team would want him on the ice. Personally I can't see any team offering him that low an amount if he's producing. It doesn't make logical sense. This hypothetical scenario is completely and utterly unrealistic.

 

[Jobu]

So? Both Peca and Kovalev sat out entire seasons to make more money.

I guess it depends how much Brule's team would want him on the ice. Personally I can't see any team offering him that low an amount if he's producing. It doesn't make logical sense. This hypothetical scenario is completely and utterly unrealistic.

The point is, this is what would happen in the vast majority of cases and even those with enough leverage to force a settlement in the absence of arbitration would be handcuffed by the various other controls that the owners need to save themselves from themselves.

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Hey John, did you that under the old CBA, qualifying offers expired sometime in August?

So for example the Flames could now offer Iginla 600,000 to play next season and he can't do anything about it?

How is that any different than your example?

The Flames wouldn't lowball Iginla to such a ridiculous degree because they want him on the ice. Just like Brule's team would never offer him such a ridiculously low offer if he was an impact player at that time.

Your scenario is completely unrealistic.

 

[red devil]

Gilbert Brule

Years 1-4
Base salary $850K

For arguments sake we'll say that in years 3 & 4 he hits his bonuses and makes an extra $250K

Come year 5 the NHL has scrapped arbitration altogether, and the UFA age has dropped to 28.

Brule is now 22, and has 6 years before he becomes a UFA. He can't hold-out. He can't file for arbitration.

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.


Year 1 - $850K
Year 2 - $850K
year 3 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 4 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 5 - $637,350
Year 6 - " "
Year 7 - " "
Year 8 - " "
Year 9 - " "
Year 10 - " "
Year 11 - UFA

Actually in his 5th year he would also make $800,000 because in the proposal it states that a player will be qualified at 75% or $800,000, which ever is more.

 

[Steve L*]

If hes good enough, he can go and play elsewhere in the world. After all, the players are in favour of a free market so they can sign for another team if they wish.

 

[oil slick]

Gilbert Brule

Years 1-4
Base salary $850K

For arguments sake we'll say that in years 3 & 4 he hits his bonuses and makes an extra $250K

Come year 5 the NHL has scrapped arbitration altogether, and the UFA age has dropped to 28.

Brule is now 22, and has 6 years before he becomes a UFA. He can't hold-out. He can't file for arbitration.

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.


Year 1 - $850K
Year 2 - $850K
year 3 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 4 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 5 - $637,350
Year 6 - " "
Year 7 - " "
Year 8 - " "
Year 9 - " "
Year 10 - " "
Year 11 - UFA

As a moderate pro-owner guy (although I'm becoming more anti both sides as this drags on), I have to say good post! This doesn't make sense no matter how you cut it. Kovalchuk should not be making that kind of money.

 

[Lanny MacDonald*]

Gilbert Brule

Years 1-4
Base salary $850K

For arguments sake we'll say that in years 3 & 4 he hits his bonuses and makes an extra $250K

Come year 5 the NHL has scrapped arbitration altogether, and the UFA age has dropped to 28.

Brule is now 22, and has 6 years before he becomes a UFA. He can't hold-out. He can't file for arbitration.

His NHL team can qualify him at 75%, so he could be back down to $637,500 for year 5. From then on he again could be qualified at $637,500 until he hits that magic age of 28.


Year 1 - $850K
Year 2 - $850K
year 3 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 4 - $850K + $250K bonus
Year 5 - $637,350
Year 6 - " "
Year 7 - " "
Year 8 - " "
Year 9 - " "
Year 10 - " "
Year 11 - UFA

And if you honestly believe that, you're not worth the time of day. Any player that shows growth will be paid accordingly. Only the players that don't will have to wrry about the 75% qualification. The only way that what you suggest happens is if Brule comes out and is a total disappointment, a la Chris Gratton. Only those players that contunue to fail to live up to expectations will have something to worry about.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

Actually in his 5th year he would also make $800,000 because in the proposal it states that a player will be qualified at 75% or $800,000, which ever is more.

You're correct, changed it above.

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

The point is, this is what would happen in the vast majority of cases and even those with enough leverage to force a settlement in the absence of arbitration would be handcuffed by the various other controls that the owners need to save themselves from themselves.

And you saw this all in your crystal ball?

Funny how people think they can know exactly what will happen in the future under a proposed CBA.

 

[Jobu]

Hey John, did you that under the old CBA, qualifying offers expired sometime in August?

So for example the Flames could now offer Iginla 600,000 to play next season and he can't do anything about it?

How is that any different than your example?

The Flames wouldn't lowball Iginla to such a ridiculous degree because they want him on the ice. Just like Brule's team would never offer him such a ridiculously low offer if he was an impact player at that time.

Your scenario is completely unrealistic.

Another uninformed owner crony.

Currently, a QO for someone making Iginla's salary must be 100% of his last salary. So, he could accept his QO or go to arbitration. But the owner's propose to make a QO 75% of a salary (and cap a contract length at 3 years), plus do away with arbitration at their election.

Players like Iginla may still have the leverage to hold-out until a couple of weeks before training camp, but others won't.

Why should a team be able to maintain such a strangehold on players for 10+ years? It's crazy.

Either give them arbitration, or give them free agency. You can't take away both.

 

[Roots73]

Hey John, did you that under the old CBA, qualifying offers expired sometime in August?

So for example the Flames could now offer Iginla 600,000 to play next season and he can't do anything about it?

How is that any different than your example?

The Flames wouldn't lowball Iginla to such a ridiculous degree because they want him on the ice. Just like Brule's team would never offer him such a ridiculously low offer if he was an impact player at that time.

Your scenario is completely unrealistic.

Also existing contracts would be "grandfathered" in. The idea of profit sharing for players is also a big innovative step for the NHL. If the players shoot this offer down, they'll look pretty bad when impasse hits.

 

[creative giant*]

Sigh. Do you people even read? He can't hold out, because he has to be signed 14 days prior to camp or he can't play.

Slight error in your reading comprehension (which is funny because you're accusing others of not being able to read)

-- Players and Clubs obligated to reach agreement on terms of a new contract by no later than fourteen (14) days after the opening of Training Camp; failure to do so results in player ineligibility (and unavailability to Club) for balance of the season.

And this is a fantastic addition for any new CBA. If a player is valuable enough he will get his money because the team won't want to lose him for the year.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

And if you honestly believe that, you're not worth the time of day. Any player that shows growth will be paid accordingly. Only the players that don't will have to wrry about the 75% qualification. The only way that what you suggest happens is if Brule comes out and is a total disappointment, a la Chris Gratton. Only those players that contunue to fail to live up to expectations will have something to worry about.

I'm not saying that it is something that will happen. My point is that it could happen and the players would have essentially no leverage at all.

Arbitration can't disappear, unless UFA age drops in a huge way.

 

[Jobu]

If hes good enough, he can go and play elsewhere in the world. After all, the players are in favour of a free market so they can sign for another team if they wish.

So aer you in favour of free agency out of the gate? Free market, right?

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Another uninformed owner crony.

You'll make a lot of friends insulting people. You obviously aren't mature enough to carry on a conversation about this topic.

We'll see how you like life on my ignore list.

 

[Steve L*]

So aer you in favour of free agency out of the gate? Free market, right?

They are free to work in another country any time they wish.

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I'm not saying that it is something that will happen. My point is that it could happen and the players would have essentially no leverage at all.

Well unless I'm mistaken they haven't removed Restricted Free Agency in it's entirety. So another team could make Brule an offer sheet. There's the leverage right there.

Your concerns about this improbable situation appear to be extremely unfounded from what I can see. It's a non-factor IMO.

 

[Phelan]

So there's a chance that a hockey player who may not be a star, might make over 500 000$ a year for over 10 years?
That poor b****rd.

 

[nomorekids]

So there's a chance that a hockey player who may not be a star, might make over 500 000$ a year for over 10 years?
That poor b****rd.

Hey, don't come around here with that kind of logic. Guys like Todd Marchant...they're the product...and they should be paid accordingly.