Well, here are the first two sections, at least. I'm sure one could find better word choice here or there, but that's an approximate translation.
Monday, April 11, 2005
The negotiations between the players and the owners continue this week, and they are unfolding in an atmosphere of dialogue. These are the sentiments of all the participants involved in the past two days devoted to re-launching hockey.
So, we will see if the two sides are serious.
We have to say that we like the concepts forwarded by Bob Goodenow, that we like his approach to linking the salary cap to NHL revenues. But does he have the numbers?
Not yet. We will see this week, and judging by what we have seen since the conflict began, one has to believe that Goodenow will end up at the very last owner proposal, from last February 9, a salary cap of $42.5 million.
He is fast realizing that he does not have very many options.
Bettman will Choose
It is ultimately Gary Bettman who will choose a format for the NHL entry draft, following meetings with several members of the hockey community. He will make his decision public on April 20, the date set for the NHL governors’ meeting.
The heated discussions of Friday allowed the commissioner to gather together myriad suggestions. Bettman made the argument that the league should not stop at just the non-playoff teams a the bottom of the standings from 2003-04. He believes each team should have at least a chance at drafting Sidney Crosby.
It is probable that the commissioner will adopt a draft lottery format with different criteria for determining the draft odds. It will surely rest on the number of points accumulated by the teams since the last round of expansion. It will also weigh team participation in the playoffs.
But, if he retains the option that each of the 30 teams has at least a chance to draft Crosby, he will have chosen the wisest plan and the most realistic under the circumstances.