ColoradoHockeyFan said:
For an example of this claim, please go to
http://www.cknw.com/audiovault/audiovault.cfm
and select Thursday March 3rd at 10pm. Advance the slider to the 31:00 minute mark... that is the exact point at which Dan Russell asks Burke about the league's options. He then brings up the two different ways to bring in replacement players (one with impasse and one without).
It would be great if you guys could comment on what he says specifically there.
He's saying the league has two ways to get replacement players:
1. The league hires temporary replacements while the lockout continues. They would set work rules for those replacements.
2. The league declares an impasse and imposes their final proposal. In response, the NHLPA goes on strike. The league then uses replacement players who work under the imposed rules.
The first one sounds interesting, but there ares problems. As far as I can tell, #1 has never been tested with regard to antitrust issues. Since the players wouldn't be part of the collective bargaining unit, things such as the draft, rookie contracts, and restricted free agency may be invalid.
Now those issues may not seem like a big deal with replacement players filling the league, but there's a hitch. What if Sidney Crosby wants to be a replacement? He would basically end up going to the highest bidder. What about legit NHLers who decide to cross? Same thing.
That's pretty dangerous ground for the NHL.