While there has been a lot of rumors and circumstantial evidence that put this lockout in its final stages, there might be one big hurdle the sides have to clear before any announcement can be made.
Lance Hornsby of the Toronto Sun writes that the players may be making a final stand to have their 2004-05 contracts honored by the league. It had recently been speculated that those contracts would have been extinguished, but it seems that this is an issue that could still be on the table.
The players are pointing to the 'Yashin precedent', where then Senator Alexei Yashin was forced to fulfill the obligations of his contract after he held out for one season.
The decision to honor the contracts or not will dramatically affect how clubs would construct their rosters, as they would have many more players signed for one more year than they probably anticipated.
The sides will continue to meet today in New York in an attempt to get this resolved as soon as possible (or so they say). There have been some rumblings that the league might be pushing to have this CBA resolved before July 1st (this Friday) to avoid potential legal problems regarding free agents. (Thanks to Message Boarder NYRangers for the link).
NHL teams are getting on with business despite the lack of an announcement of a deal. The Nashville Predators extended the contracts of Head Coach Barry Trotz and his entire staff. Meanwhile, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Senators will extend General Manager John Muckler's contract as well.
Spector writes the new CBA won't solve all of the league's problems. He also notes that there have been rumors of the NHLPA telling its members to prepare for a vote by week's end, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
We just have to wait and see. Maybe there will be some fireworks this weekend. (Get it, fireworks? Fourth of July? Get it?)
HDH
Posted by Jim at June 28, 2005 08:57 AMeMail this entry!
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