Sean Avery's book had some interesting comments about the 04 lockout and how it was handled. He was the associate NHLPA rep for the Kings at the time.
Essentially his position was - most of the players (including himself) had insufficient understanding of math to actually participate in the process. Initially the players receive emails about the negotiations, but they were leaked, so switched to a secure website. Then that was leaked too, so they switched to 30 person conference calls. He said you could hear guys playing Halo in the background of the calls.
It was impossible to come to anything remotely resembling a consensus with the membership being so big and so ill informed, to the point that in Feb during the last ditch "drop dead" offer, Domi and (I think it was Oliwa?) had to be restrained from a fist-fight.
In any case - he predicted early that billionaires beat millionaires every time.
And that the only issue that the players would actually sacrifice everything for is guaranteed contracts.
Which is what I hope the NHL uses to prevent any future lockout. Sign the next CBA or guaranteed contracts go on the table.
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"Isles give up 3 picks for 5.5 mil of cap space.
Oilers give up a pick and a player to take on 5.5 mil."
-Bax
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