Details are still coming out, but it looks like the NHL lockout is over.
After more than 16 consecutive hours of bargaining on the 113th day of the lockout, the NHL and NHLPA reached a tentative agreement on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement around 5 a.m. Sunday.
What does this mean?
The deal still has to be ratified by the players and the NHL Board of Governors, but the bottom line is we're looking at a season of about 48-50 games, beginning later this month.
Some details of the agreement emerge:
The agreement is for a 10-year deal, with a mutual opt-out clause after eight. It includes a seven-year limit on player contract length — eight for players to re-sign with their same team – and a 35 percent year-to-year variance aimed at preventing back diving contracts.
The 2013-14 salary cap, which was a key sticking point in the final days of negotiations, will reportedly be set at $64.3 million with a floor of $44 million. In order to be in compliance with the salary cap, teams will each be allowed to make two compliance buyouts prior to the 2013-14 season
Here's an interesting quote:
“We understand the nature of professional sports has kind of changed in the last couple of CBAs with football and basketball and, obviously, hockey. That’s the way it’s been going for the last 10 years,” Phoenix’s Shane Doan told reporters in New York. So, you knew you were in that position and I think as a union we got the best deal we could possibly get and you’re happy. You just excited to get to play hockey again and do what you really enjoy and have a passion for.”
You KNOW that whenever someone uses the phrase "We got the best deal we could under the circumstances" that means they got hosed and they know it. We've had too much experience here with that.