NHL to reject union's offer

[Spider-Man NL]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/20.../nhl041213.html

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - It appears the NHL will turn down the Players' Association's latest proposal to settle the current lockout.

In an eight-page league memo leaked to cable sports broadcaster TSN, NHL executive vice-president Bill Daly told all 30 owners that the NHL will reject the union's offer, which included a 24 per cent salary rollback.

The NHL and the union are scheduled to meet in Toronto Tuesday afteroon to renew talks over the expired collective bargaining agreement.

"In sum, we believe the union's Dec. 9 proposal, while offering necessary and significant short-term financial relief, falls well short of providing the fundamental systemic changes that are required to ensure that overall league economics remain in sync on a going-forward basis," Daly wrote in the letter dated Dec. 12.

"While the immediate 'rollback' of 24 per cent offered by the union would materially improve league economics for the 2004-05 season, there is virtually nothing in the union's proposal that would prevent the dollars 'saved' from being re-directed right back into the player compensation system, such that the league's overall financial losses would approach current levels in only a matter of a couple of years."

The memo said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will table a counter-proposal on Tuesday that "will be an appropriate response to the union's offer and will ensure the league's future stability and long-term health."

Last Thursday at a meeting between the union and the league, the NHLPA made a proposal that included cutting existing player contracts by 24 per cent, significantly more than the five per cent rollback offered the last time they met on Sept. 9.

NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow estimated the rollback would save team owners $270 million US in the first year and more than $1 billion over six years.

However, it appears the NHL will turn down the offer because it feels the rollback does not properly address the fundamental problems of the league's economic system.

"It's not a solution," Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is quoted in Monday's Ottawa Sun. "It's a one-shot deal that doesn't work."

"Although the 24 per cent rollback is something that we look at seriously, it's not a permanent solution to the problems."

Edmonton Oilers governor Cal Nichols agrees with Melnyk.

"In my opinion, and that of the Edmonton Oilers, it is an enticement to carry on doing essentially what we're doing and the Edmonton Oilers won't be here long-term if that's what we're prepared to accept," Nichols said Monday.

The lockout is now in its 89th day and 407 of this season's 1,230 games have been lost as of Monday.

Canuck goaltender Dan Cloutier said Tuesday's meeting could be the beginning of the end for the season.

"If they do reject this offer you can write off the season," said Cloutier. "We've given a lot."

Calgary Flames Jarome Iginla was more optimistic.

"I don't think they are going to come back with a hard cap," said Iginla.

"Anybody can look at the proposal we gave. We've given them all the restrains they need. We've changed everything in their favour. I think there's ways to save this season and it's what was needed to be done."

with files from Canadian Press

[Edited on 2004-12-29 by sakiqc]

[simonus]

fantastic... i didnt really want to watch hockey anyways...

[puck7x]

The NHL has officially rejected the NHLPA's offer, then they had their own offer rejected by the NHLPA.

The two sides talked for about 4 hours today in all....

Press conference are taking place now...

BREAK THE UNION! GO NHL!

[Fanpuck33_]

Break the owners. Get a luxury tax in place, and work towards a cap in the future. JMHO