NHLPA head Donald Fehr received a chance to explain the players’ contracting gripes, so it only seems fair to share the owners stance, which was laid out by Bill Daly to NHL.com’s Corey Masisak.
Daly began with a bigger picture look.
“We think the system will operate better,” Daly said. “Obviously I think everyone knows that we’ve had concerns for a while about contracts that we feel are circumvention of the system and the cap … that is definitely an issue we need to clean up.”
The other issue Daly explained that moving the unrestricted free agency age from 27 to 28 would help teams give “more money to more established players.”
“It’s something we hear from our GMs regularly,” Daly said. “They believe they’re forced to make talent assessments too early in a player’s career and it would be better for the game … if they could make those decisions a little later in a player’s career.”
“We’re talking about one year — we’re not talking about moving heaven and earth.”
If both Daly and Fehr’s comments are accurate, both sides are taking these matters more seriously than many observers expected.
“These issues are very, very important to the clubs,” Daly said. ” … If we were hearing from the clubs, ‘Geez, don’t let these player contracting issues get in the way of a deal. Let’s get a deal done and get the players back on the ice,’ then that’s what we would be saying at the bargaining table, but that’s not what we’re hearing from our clubs.”
Daly told Masisak that he would “like to be optimistic,” but the contracting issues must be addressed.
“If we can find some way to address our concerns on these issues, we can move this process forward,” Daly said. ” … I just don’t right now, given their opposition to addressing some of these issues, I don’t know where we go.”
Much like Fehr’s explanation, Daly provides some insight on the process – but maybe not a whole lot of hope.
Related
Fehr rolls out the players’ side
Daly initially speaks of “no progress”
-
“Corey has been great for us all year, all playoffs.”
-
Getty Images
It boils down to mistakes of all kinds.
-
Getty Images
What a difference one goal makes.
-
Getty Images
He played less than three minutes in Game 4.
-
“If he sees the puck, he’s going to be almost impossible to beat.”
-
His middle name isn’t “Game Over.” We checked.
-
Getty Images
It’s now 2-2 after an exciting 6-5 thriller.
-
Getty Images
The Bruins won’t give up.
-
Video: Bruins, Hawks combine for five goals in 11 minutes during wild second period
Jun 19, 2013, 10:19 PM EDT
Getty Images
… And there were plenty of other close calls.
-
Getty Images
Vancouver Canucks would appreciate the cap space.
-
Getty Images
Michal Handzus scores first, Rich Peverley ties it.
-
Getty Images
The money part has been settled, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
-
Getty Images
In case you were worrying about another late scratch.
-
Getty Images
The Swede wasn’t getting benched during playoff games, for one.
-
Getty Images
Tough timing for free agent Mason Raymond.
-
Getty Images
37-year-old ‘tender ready to call it a career.
-
Nonis says compliance buyout a ‘distinct possibility’ for Leafs
Jun 19, 2013, 5:19 PM EDT
Getty Images
That’s a picture of Mike Komisarek.
-
Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma considered to be a favorite for the position.
-
Apparently Glen Sather and Mike Gillis don’t see the game evolving the same way
Jun 19, 2013, 4:44 PM EDT
Getty Images
Which could be why they end up swapping coaches.
-
NHL to implement hybrid icing next season if trial period goes well
Jun 19, 2013, 3:20 PM EDT
The players’ union and Board of Governors will vote near the end of the exhibition campaign.
