CBA: The negotiators

Here is some of the recent news surrounding the NHL's CBA situation, including some recent comments by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and a recently published poll of fans by The Hockey News.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed confident that the league and players can hammer out a deal make sure there is an NHL season. Bettman met with reports before last week's game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.

"I view September of 2004 as an opportunity to go forward," Bettman said according to CBC Sports Online. "I'm optimistic. At the right time, the union will want to reason together with us."

"The word contraction does not exist in my or the NHL's vocabulary." he said."Any suggestion that any franchise is either moving or contracting is nothing more than unsubstantiated and irresponsible rumour mongering."

Here's a look at some of the findings concerning the CBA according to the results published on THN's web site. The poll included responses from 11,000 hockey fans.

Question

Results

"Which side do you support in the NHL/NHLPA labor showdown?"

Neither	48%
Owners	40%
Players	12%

Does the NHL risk losing you as a fan if there's a prolonged work stoppage?

No	57%
Yes	26%
Undecided	16%

In your opinion, what's the No. 1 problem with the NHL game?

High ticket prices	19%
Congested neutral zone	18%
High player salaries	16%
Too many teams	15%
Too low scoring	10%
Nothing	4%
Other	17%

Two fans have written a letter and started a petition to prompt the NHL and NHLPA to fix the league both on and off the ice. In their letter, Eric Bowser and Matt Godfrey write:

"The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire after the World Cup of Hockey this summer. While it is important that the necessary parties come to the bargaining table it is also important that the voice of the fans is heard. This is what this letter is setting out to do.

"The fans of the NHL and every other sport are vital. They are the ones paying the ticket prices, buying the jerseys and wondering what they are going to do if their favorite sport closes their doors for next season."

Bowser and Godfrey have put their online and also have set up a petition site. Links are below

CBA: News & Notes

Sunday, March 21, 2004