In the first meaningful step since negotiations on a new CBA began in early July, the NHL today in Toronto presented the NHLPA with a proposal calling for a 50/50 split of hockey-related revenue and no rollback of existing contracts. According to John Shannon of Sportsnet, the new proposal also sets contract term limits at five years and increases the starting point of unrestricted free agency from age 27 to 28. In addition, the salaries of players on one-way contracts who are sent to the minor leagues would still count against a team’s salary cap.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league’s proposal was made with a goal of beginning a complete 82-game regular season schedule on Nov. 2. Bettman called the offer “our best shot.” NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr said the union needed time to evaluate the proposal. A conference call with members of the NHLPA’s negotiating committee is scheduled for 5:00pm ET today. There is currently no time frame for the union’s response. Fehr will relay it to the press after he informs the NHL.
