Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
While I dont think you're wrong, and from an ownership perspective I can understand why they'd want that, I imagine from a PA perspective thats a 'Hill to Die On' and I'd understand why.
But further, the thing is...I think a big reason hockey and the NHL hasn't expanded like other sports is that the talent pool just isn't as deep.
There is a huge gulf between real, top-line big-name NHLers and the AHL equivalents.
For instance...as a Soccer fan, you can probably nab some 16-year olds out of Germany, France, Spain or England, slap 'em together and they'd tool MLS teams as a joke.
Hockey isnt the same. An AHL All-Star could be waiver-wire fodder, the Gap is HUGE.
Its tough to round out your rosters with jobbers from the 'A' these days and there just isnt enough talent or Cap to go around.
And while thats true, what there is enough to go around is 'Blame.'
GMs are paying too much, Agents are pushing too hard, PA is keeping anything in check and are essentially useless unless its a lockout and frankly...how can you lay blame on players for trying to maximize their compensation? They're the ones putting in the time, effort and their bodies on the line.
Its like 4-way tug-of-war. Possibly even more. Owners, Agents, PA, Players, Coaches, minor affiliates...you could go on and on.
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I think the gap from star to 12th forward and top d to the number 6 is usually quite large. But from those guys to the AHL...not so much. Plus no one else pays close to NHL money unless you dare take a KHL gig.
So the lack of competition might give the NHL a chance to get players to cave in the next 04 type lockout.
The league is healthy enough right now that owners don't have a need to stop operating. But when that cycle comes due it could be a fight. Cap plus linkage was a hill to die on....how did that work out for Bob Goodenow? Even Donald Fehr gave back 11% of the revenue share to get his guys back to work. Will star players who'd get mostly guaranteed contracts give that up, or do they say, no let's cut our share another 10% and only take 45% of revenue. That's the question they'll have and will the rank and file convince them to take less for more guarantees?