On Tuesday, we got some more information on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NHL and NHLPA that could end in a six-year extension. The two sides hope to ratify the agreement along with Phase 3/4 of the Return to Play Protocol, since the Protocol could require a full 800 player vote and the new CBA definitely does.
Hearing lots of progress being made on a CBA extension with #NHL and #NHLPA. Essentially a six year extension. A MOU could be announced as soon as the 1st week of July.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) June 23, 2020
An MOU is a Memorandum (Memo) of Understanding, which according to Wikipedia, “is a type of agreement between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action.” So, a not-quite-an-agreement agreement.
The new CBA will be hoping to cap escrow for players at 20%, meaning they are guaranteed at least 80% of their contracts, with some percentage of the balance (less or more than 20%) being payed back to the players once the season’s revenue is counted. At the moment, escrow is uncapped and the lack of financial certainty has made the players uneasy.
The Olympics is another sticking point that should hopefully be rectified in the new CBA.
The current 10-year agreement goes up to the end of 2021-22, but has out clauses for both sides that could’ve seen either side leave this Fall. If the two sides agree on a new deal this summer, it could replace the final two years of the current CBA and see the new one stay in place until 2027 at the latest.
Pierre LeBrun has a whole article on this at The Athletic for those who have a subscription.
“Whatever the case, a CBA extension will require a full NHLPA membership vote, all 800-plus players. It’s not clear yet whether the Phase 3/4 Return to Play agreement would be a full membership vote or simply an Executive Board (31 player reps) vote.” – Pierre LeBrun [The Athletic]
Related
LeBrun: NHL’s return still on track for summer amid CBA and…
More on the Return to Play, Pittsburgh and Dallas were both told that they are off the list of potential hub cities along with Flavortown and Minnesota.
The @NHL has informed the Penguins that Pittsburgh will not be a hub city for the league’s Return to Play plan.
The Penguins submitted an aggressive proposal, with tremendous support from UPMC, PPG, and local business/political/union leaders.
Details: https://t.co/qJaPCAWJzN pic.twitter.com/g4HDD6j7fy
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2020
That brings the list down to six: Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, LA, and Chicago. Apparently in that order.
Dallas and Pittsburgh have also been informed they are no longer in the Hub city process, joining Columbus and Minnesota on the outs. The six that remain are Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, LA and Chicago.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 23, 2020
While many believe it’s down to Vegas, Vancouver, and/or Edmonton, Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston are uncertain about the first two as snags have caught their proposals.
In terms of Edmonton and Toronto, it appears Toronto upgraded their proposal in order to keep a tighter bubble around where the players will be. MLSE is planning to use the site of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds and home of the Toronto Marlies where there is lots of amenities, hotels, ice, and train access to the main arena.
I still think at this point Vegas, Vancouver and Edmonton have pulled ahead of Toronto but MLSE has certainly tried to answer NHL/NHLPA concerns with the new updated bid…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 23, 2020
Edmonton’s Premier (Governor equivalent) Jason Kenney tried to sell the city as a hub destination, but showed footage of areas exclusively several hours away from Edmonton. Banff is not Edmonton, Jason.
It’s the obvious choice to bring the @NHL to #Edmonton.
We look forward to welcoming the league and players here to Alberta to take in the beautiful province we have to offer. pic.twitter.com/kp0iN86vCP
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) June 22, 2020
In terms of travel, European players will start having to leave soon in order to fulfill the two-week quarantine period to get ready for July 10th training camps. The New York Times had a (free) article where they reported that Americans may not be allowed in the European Union as their containment of COVID-19 has not met the standard. This could impact American players playing in Europe next season and European players going back home after the playoffs.
All #mnwild European players will be back in town by Friday to satisfy 2-week quarantine for July 10 training camp start date
Hearing many NHL Europeans are flying back to North America this week via commercial or group charters
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 23, 2020
One of those Americans is Reid Boucher formerly of the Utica Comets and one of the best AHLers in the league. He’s heading to Russia to play for Omsk Avangard, one of the top teams.
Reid Boucher is a done deal
— Aljoša Pilko (@PlayersAgentTM) June 23, 2020
This is an interesting idea in case the NHL also needed spare forwards for the playoffs. Keeping a group of reserves fit could be very interesting.
Here’s a wrinkle I hadn’t heard before:
MLB has been talking with Nashville about having 2 teams there of unsigned players, sources say.
They would serve as an emergency pool and would make $400/week.
MLB teams would have to pay a fee to Nashville to sign one of those players.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) June 23, 2020
The New Jersey Devils have been looking for old/experienced faces to be their new head coach, and it’s being reported that Lindy Ruff is one of those people, along with names like Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette.
It has previously been reported the NJ coaching candidates were Alain Nasreddine (incumbent), Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette, John Stevens and a “mystery candidate.” Hearing that is NYR assistant Lindy Ruff, head coach in BUF (1997-2013) and DAL (2013-17).
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2020
Ruff is currently an assistant coach with the New York Rangers and fans are not very happy with his performances. To be fair, the team has been rebuilding.
Lindy Ruff, in a chart. pic.twitter.com/2jxEEQO6DW
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) June 23, 2020
