It’s looking good. It’s looking bad.
Pick an emotion and it played out Thursday as the NHL lockout shifted from optimism to pessimism, depending on the topic and your take on it. The latest drama to unfold was the players’ union angered at a hockey-related revenue (HRR) package from the league. It involved penalties but was reportedly missing key language for teams hiding HRR and what was actually being reported.
On a day where the salary cap ceiling, contract length and variance and pensions were supposed to be front-burner issues, trust is now an issue, too.
No wonder some Vancouver Canucks players displayed a range of reaction following a UBC skate Thursday. Before voting again on giving the NHLPA board the support to file a disclaimer of interest after that option wasn’t exercised Wednesday night, they sounded both hopeful and hesitant. After all, if the league’s quest for a $60 million US cap ceiling and the players’ push for $65 million can’t be bridged, how are other issues going to be settled?
“It’s positive that they’re talking, but we might hit a few more bumps before we get it worked out,” predicted Canucks captain Henrik Sedin. “You never know. You’ve got to have two parties who want to make a deal. I’m hoping they can, but I’ve seen things happen and it wouldn’t surprise me if it didn’t happen. I’m hoping they can get a deal done.”
If that occurs, a 48-game schedule would commence Jan. 19 and challenge the Canucks to get up to speed in a hurry while avoiding injuries,
“We’ve been prepared to start whenever, but I don’t want to get too hopeful until we have a deal,” stressed Sedin. “I want to play and for us, it’s not a problem. We’re used to travelling and pretty much playing every second night. Throw in one or two more games over a certain amount of time — that’s fine. There’s always the threat of injuries, but I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
The big problem for the Canucks will be dealing with a reduced cap next season, despite two compliance buyouts offered by the league in negotiations. The Canucks already have 13 players under contract for 2013-14 at $55.4 million. Their window to win is now because the team won’t look the same in a year. And those with expiring contracts like pending unrestricted free agent Chris Higgins obviously want to prove their long-term worth as soon as possible.
“I’m very optimistic,” said Higgins. “Maybe that’s my nature because I know how much I want to play. From what I’ve seen it’s getting closer, but until it’s pen to paper I’m not leaning one way or the other.”
With the latest roller-coaster of emotions, the NHLPA wants to retain some sort of hammer, so expect them to dangle the disclaimer threat again.
“Leverage is important whenever you’re negotiating,” said Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis.
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