Kerri Linsenbigler
Features Editor
As a life-long season ticket holder for the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday’s surprise National Hockey League’s contract offer thrilled me. I thought I could watch some hockey again. I imagined myself sitting among 18,000 fellow Sabres fans at the First Niagara Center. I pictured the Sabres turning their luck around and making a playoff run.
Well, the last part might be a little farfetched, but needless to say, I was genuinely excited to see the NHL man up and make an offer. While this is by no means a perfect proposal, the players union should seriously consider what the NHL has put on the table and respond quickly.
One of the biggest points of contention between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) was the division of revenues. In the offer the NHL proposed Tuesday, revenue would be split between players and owners 50/50.
There’s no denying the offer is a pretty big drop from the players’ 57 percent take last year. I understand no one wants to take a serious pay cut, even when you make millions of dollars. But the NHLPA should realize there is no way the NHL would agree to an increase in revenue sharing. If the players want any chance at a season this year, they need to seriously discuss how much of a loss they are willing to accept in order to play the game they love.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” said New York Islanders forward Brad Boyes to ESPN Oct. 17. “There are still significant givebacks and concessions from the players in this new proposal but it is definitely their first serious offer.”
Now is the time to save the season. In the NHL’s offer, they propose a full 82-game schedule beginning Nov. 2. Finally, there is some sort of time limit on the bargaining. If the NHLPA hopes to have any games this season, they need to get the counteroffer together fast.
This is what is most promising about the recent bargaining activity— the thought of a full regular season starting in two weeks. My emotions went through the roof when I heard this part of the proposal. No one wants to see a repeat of the 2004-2005 season, when the entire schedule was cancelled due to a lockout.
According to Tampa Bay Lightning forward B.J. Crombeen, the NHLPA is working around the clock to present a counteroffer by the end of the week.
I hope the NHL and NHLPA will finally come to an agreement. It’s been far too long since I’ve watched my favorite sport.
