[Rumour] NHL offers Olympic participation in exchange for the NHLPA agreeing to extend CBA

[sureLoss]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/s...participation/

As an alphabet soup of stakeholders meet in New York City to discuss the future of Olympic hockey, sources indicate the NHL has made an offer to its players that could confirm their participation.

No one is willing to comment at this time, so it is difficult to pin down particulars. But, in exchange for the league’s blessing, the NHLPA would agree to extend the collective bargaining agreement. One source indicated it could be for three more years, but I can’t pin that down to be 100 per cent accurate.

[Yanda]

they shouldnt have to give up anything to be able to participate in the olympics

[The Fonz]

Would extending the CBA actually be a valuable chip to the league though? I'd imagine they (NHL owners) want to go after a couple more % of HRR once this one expires, and lower the max term on contracts.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Would extending the CBA actually be a valuable chip to the league though? I'd imagine they (NHL owners) want to go after a couple more % of HRR once this one expires, and lower the max term on contracts.

They ARE the ones offering it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Yanda

they shouldnt have to give up anything to be able to participate in the olympics

Well the players are under contract to play an 82 game NHL season so the NHL is well within their rights here.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Would extending the CBA actually be a valuable chip to the league though? I'd imagine they (NHL owners) want to go after a couple more % of HRR once this one expires, and lower the max term on contracts.

The players want more % HRR. Too much escrow.

I don't think there is any way the CBA isn't ended early, and some sort of work stoppage occurring again.

Lawless just tweeted agents he talked to said their players are not interested in more years of escrow.

[flamesfan1297]

Nm

[Geeoff]

I think extending the current deal actually behooves the PA. The NHLPA has lost every CBA so far.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well the players are under contract to play an 82 game NHL season so the NHL is well within their rights here.

^They still play an 82 game season during Olympic years

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

Nm

Yes but the league is under no obligation to move their schedule around.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

Yes but the league is under no obligation to move their schedule around.

No obligation sure... but I'd argue that Olympic participation benefits the league through the additional exposure for the sport.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

They ARE the ones offering it.

Yup, misread the title.

[CroFlames]

The World Cup should replace the Olympics.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

Yes but the league is under no obligation to move their schedule around.

Fair point. Personally I hope they go to the Olympics and I think it is great for the sport and the fans

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The World Cup should replace the Olympics.

It's not the same. I think that the Olympics will always mean more to the players than the World cup and it has a higher prestige to it. The Olympics is better for the growth of the game too IMO

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flamesfan1297

^They still play an 82 game season during Olympic years

Yes but they interrupt the season which makes it go into the summer and teams are paying millions of dollars to players that could suffer a serious injury during the Olympics. No other North American professional league does this so while I'm not saying I don't want NHL players in the Olympics I can totally understand why the NHL may not as they are taking all the risk for little if any reward as I personally don't buy that it creates more American NHL fans.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The World Cup should replace the Olympics.

The World Cup was botched beyond repair when they had made up countries playing in it.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/s...participation/

Friedman is as trustworthy as a source can get, IMO, but the story doesn't make sense unless (a) the IOC and IIHF have solved the insurance and transportation costs issues, which would be huge news itself; or (b) the NHL is willing to foot the insurance and transportation costs for the concession by the NHLPA, which would be a huge concession by the league.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Weitz

The players want more % HRR. Too much escrow.

I don't think there is any way the CBA isn't ended early, and some sort of work stoppage occurring again.

Lawless just tweeted agents he talked to said their players are not interested in more years of escrow.

How much of the escrow is a result of them constantly using the escalator though?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Parallex

No obligation sure... but I'd argue that Olympic participation benefits the league through the additional exposure for the sport.

Well that is the argument right. Opinions seem to be on the league side, it's done nothing for them when not held in NA, which I don't doubt.