Rejoice, hockey fans.
A little over two weeks after the NHL chose to not opt-out of the current collective bargaining agreement set in place following the 2012-13 lockout, the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) followed suit, announcing Monday that it too would not leave the current framework.
As such, both parties have agreed to labor peace for at least the next three years — avoiding a potential lockout in September 2020 and potentially setting the stage for an even longer extension looking forward.
“While players have concerns with the current CBA, we agree with the league that working together to address those concerns is the preferred course of action instead of terminating the agreement following this season,” NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement. “We have been having discussions with the league about an extension of the CBA and expect that those talks will continue.”
The current CBA is set to expire after the 2021-22 season, however, both the league and the NHLPA had the option this month to opt-out if need be, which would have then accelerated the CBA’s expiry date to September 2020 — setting the stage for yet another potential lockout next season.
However, the NHLPA’s decision to continue negotiations and at least avoid a work stoppage for the next three years is a positive step in a negotiation process that historically has turned sour between players and owners during previous lockout incidents.
When it comes to flaws in the current CBA, the NHLPA has far and away the most issues — whether it be escrow and revenue-sharing discrepancies, participation in international tournaments (namely the Olympics) and much more.
But there might be light at the end of the tunnel in some regards when it comes to finding a common ground on those issues and more, especially with both parties set to continue to negotiate.
Given that both the league and the NHLPA have mentioned how they are “cautiously optimistic” about organizing another World Cup of Hockey in 2021, perhaps setting aside an international schedule to allow NHL talent to play in the Olympics can once again be a viable option.
When it comes to escrow and the threat of players losing out on more retained salary if the league does not meet revenue expectations, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported that the salary cap ceiling could be frozen over the next two years in order to lower these escrow payments. Good news for the players, and BAD news for cap-crunched teams like the Maple Leafs.
Still, even if there’s still work to be done, labor peace is an encouraging (if not surprising result) for a league poised to continue to cash in going forward, especially with a franchise opening in Seattle and a new TV deal on the horizon.
The Bruins will open their preseason slate later tonight when they take on the New Jersey Devils in Newark, with puck drop slated for 7 p.m.
Here is the roster that Bruce Cassidy will roll out:
Forwards:
Anton Blidh, Paul Carey, Ryan Fitzgerald, Trent Frederic, Brendan Gaunce, Robert Lantosi*, Jakub Lauko, Par Lindholm, Brett Ritchie, Zach Senyshyn, Oskar Steen, Jack Studnicka, Chris Wagner
Defensemen:
Axel Andersson, Chris Breen*, Steven Kampfer, Alex Petrovic**, Wiley Sherman, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril,
Goaltenders:
Kyle Keyser, Dan Vladar
*AHL contract
**Professional Tryout Agreement
As expected, the Bruins aren’t going to be rolling out an NHL-heavy squad for its first preseason bout, with most of the regulars in the lineup expected to primarily serve as bottom-six options in Wagner, Ritchie and Lindholm. Still, it will be interesting to watch if Ritchie (in the running for a top-six spot) and Lindholm (a versatile forward without a defined role yet) can hit the ground running with their new club.
Boston’s Providence-heavy roster is going to have its work cut out for it, as New Jersey is expected to feature players such as
Jack Hughes, P.K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds
and
Nikita Gusev
in the opener. Wagner was asked what the mentality should be for a number of younger players that will take to the ice on Monday, with skaters like Jack Studnicka, Zach Senyshyn, Oskar Steen and Urho Vaakanainen looking to make a push for an NHL roster spot come October.
“It’s definitely better than practice,” Wagner said. “It’s fun to play other teams. I don’t mind playing in the games, just because that’s what you get judged on. We’ll see how it goes … Just play your game, try not to be nervous. I remember playing my first NHL preseason game and it was a big deal. I’m sure it’s a big deal for these guys too. Just I would say, keep it simple, don’t try to do too much but try to make an impression somehow.”
Senyshyn, who has primarily skated with Studnicka and
Brad Marchand
over the first couple of on-ice practices at Warrior Ice Arena, is looking to insert himself into the conversation for one of the potential vacancies on the wing up at the NHL level.
“I’m just trying to show my details, show my work ethic out there and again, just use my speed and take pucks to the net,” Senyshyn said of his mentality going into Monday’s game. “I think doing the little details I’ve learned the last few years in Providence is going to be big, and trusting my game and just play with a little bit of confidence.
“Again, making sure I’m getting my pucks out and making sure I’m having good sticks on the forecheck and disrupting plays. Making sure that their top players are feeling some of that pressure when I’m out on the ice.”
Monday also marked the return of
Patrice Bergeron
to regular practice, with the veteran skating ahead of the main group for the first three days of on-ice work as he recovers from a lingering groin injury. He skated alongside Marchand and
David Pastrnak
during line drills, wearing a red, non-contact jersey.
“That's still part of the program, I guess, was for me today to get on the ice and get a feel of how I'm feeling with going full speed with the rest of the group, and obviously getting the rhythm and my hands back,” Bergeron said. “Good first day, happy with how I felt, and everything is going according to plan."
