Nothing earth-shattering from Wednesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in Los Angeles, although Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned the collective bargaining update was “quite extensive both in terms of the process and the substance.”
The NHL and NHLPA are not believed to be far apart on CBA talks.
“It's conceivable that there would be an announcement when we reach an understanding, but that understanding is again subject to ratification,” Bettman added. “We’re not (there) at the moment.”
Earlier this season, the league and the union agreed to a three-year salary-cap projection that will take the ceiling higher than it's ever been. That was the heaviest lifting, and both sides have worked hard to keep other details private. Among the notable items believed to be under consideration:
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• Dropping maximum-length contracts from eight years (your own player) and seven (another team's free agent), to seven and six, respectively.
• Draft rights until age 22
• The ability for some first-round picks from the CHL to have AHL eligibility earlier than currently allowed. (Some believe it should be one per NHL club as opposed to first-rounders because not every team has a pick in that round, but no idea if that has any traction.)
• No more deferred-salary contracts
• Creation of a “permanent” EBUG to practise and travel with their NHL team
• A revenue-sharing tweak to help some of the more middle-class teams
Whatever the case, it shouldn’t be too long until we find out for sure.
Other stuff:
Bettman said Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly gave an expansion update “in terms of the expressions of interest, but there's nothing new. We have no pending applications and we're not seeking to initiate a formal process at this point.”
During the previous processes with Vegas and Seattle, Bettman revealed an expansion fee. Is there a set price this time?
“To the extent that there have been expressions of interest, we talk generally about it,” he answered. “But nothing we need to get into.”
Daly also clarified the league’s review of Evander Kane’s LTIR status. At issue is a knee surgery he had in January that halted rehab from a previous procedure to his hip. The NHL’s position is it had the right to ask for additional information, but wouldn’t do so until the Oilers finished playing.
“That's what I've held as pending. And again, I haven't made any decisions yet with respect to how long I'm going to hold it pending.”
The league also approved Bill Haslam’s additional 18 per cent purchase of Nashville, giving him almost two-thirds ownership of the Predators.
I’d say the only negative is the lack of “draft buzz” around the event. There’s something missing with this decentralized event; it’s not the same without everyone here. Bettman reiterated that he will poll teams sometime this summer about reversing course — which can’t happen fast enough.
