This provocative question comes from Ed Gabos of Brooklyn.
I'M BEGINNING TO WORRY; THAT WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ENDING IN TWO YEARS, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF ANOTHER LOCKOUT, OR WORK STOPPAGE?
The Maven's Answer: Slim to none. For starters, Commissioner Bettman just revealed that the Salary Cap is projected to go up by $4.5 million to about $92.5 million. That's a lot of dough and should make the players happy.
Also, the Commissioner said, "Collectively we're in a good place. We've had our most successful season in history." That means that there's plenty of cash all around. And if you don't believe me, I predict that Madison Square Garden will give in to Igor Shesterkin's demands and make him the highest-paid goalie in history.
Another consideration is the personality of new NHL Players' Association boss Marty Walsh. The former mayor of Boston is not one looking for a fight. There will be good faith negotiations with Commission Bettman; nothing like the bitter Bettman-Bob Goodenow wars that led to long work stoppages.
All indications from early Gary-Bob exchanges have indicated that the pair not only get along on a purely business level but there's mutual personal admiration.
The Maven's prediction: Not to worry. There won't be a lockout and both sides will be happy because the league and the union never had it so good!
