Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
Absolutely. I 100% agree with this.
But then why did we need to have 3 separate lockouts under his tenure?
|
Because that's how long it took to get it right.
Ownership was never going to win in 95, they were too divided. That led to 2005 when they finally got their cap, largely thanks to Bettman and the powers the owners gave him. It wasn't perfect though, as smart men figured out how to circumvent the cap with creative contracts. 2013 was the finishes touches and the removal of the loop holes. It was what they initially wanted in 95, and more.
It just took that long because the NHLPA used to be quite stubborn, smart and powerful... most of all they were united. The owners needed 3 punches to knock it out, and they needed Bettman to keep them in line. Personally I support it because Calgary's long term survival is linked to how owner friendly the current CBA is. Had the NHLPA won the last two lockouts, I'm not sure the Flames would even be in Calgary today.
Bettman utterly destroyed the union in 2005. The lockout in 2013 was the owners not letting the union off the mat. It will be very interesting to see if we see lockout v 4.0, the battle for guaranteed contracts. I could see a system where a team is allowed 10 guaranteed contracts or something like that.