NEW YORK – Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed to the media Thursday that the NHL will lock out players if there is no new collective bargaining agreement in place when the old one expires on Sept. 15.
Bettman told that fact to the NHL Players' Association across the bargaining table Thursday, although he apparently has been telling that to the NHLPA for months.
The league is seeking major changes in the current CBA, including reducing the players' share of revenue from 57% to 46%. With changes to the definition of hockey-related revenues, the percentage would drop to 43%.
The owners' initial proposal would also increase the number of years that a player plays under his entry-level contract (from three years to up to five years) and the length of time before a player hits unrestricted free agency (from seven years to 10). It would also eliminate salary arbitration.
NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, who returned to negotiations after meeting with European players in Barcelona, is expected to make a counter-proposal on Tuesday.
If there is a lockout, it would be the third since Bettman became commissioner in 1993. The 1994-95 season was shortened to 48 games and the 2004-05 season was canceled. Players accepted a salary cap in 2005.
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