The Longer We Wait, The Worse It Gets

At first, it was just a small number of NHL players that left to play overseas when the NHL vs NHLPA lockout officially began about ten days ago on September 15. However, recently, more and more names have been signing contracts to play with clubs in other leagues over in Europe. Obviously, this isn't a sign of hope as most players are beginning to prepare for the worst, a full season without the NHL. Many still believe a deal will get done, but as time goes on, I see it as a death sentence for the 2012-2013 season that should have began last week with training camp.

The key hope that has been focused on for weeks is that the last time the NHL had a lockout, the teams were not even close to talking as oppose to this time where there is communication. The problem with that is the communication has resulted in nothing being agreed upon so far and the meetings have dwindled in numbers the past few weeks. In fact, there aren't any meetings between the league and NHLPA on the schedule. Closed door meetings between the bosses of each group continue a few times a week, but obviously without scheduling a legitimate NHLPA/NHL meeting, we can see not much is actually getting done. That is a major cause for concern because the days are ticking away and little by little games on the schedule are being canceled. Without official meetings, there is absolutely zero hope for the fans.

The main issue right now between the two sides is revenue sharing. All sports revolve around money and at the end of the day money is always the issue. This is not good in this case because both sides are driving hard for the deal they want. Both sides are represented by firm individuals that won't settle for much less than what they want, making it a very complicated situation. The players received 57% share of the revenue during the last CBA agreement. After seeing the NFL and NBA restructure their revenue sharing to a near 50/50 split, the NHL now wants to sit the players at 49% to start, with that amount lowering each year. Each percent represents about $30 million dollars. The players are looking more at a deal of around 54% each year, something the owners will not allow to happen. With money being a main focus as it always is, it's hard to expect a spur of the moment deal, further agonizing the pain of the fans waiting for hockey season.

With this, time is on the side of the NHL owners. Their first money-making venture of the season will be the 2014 Winter Classic, the NHL's biggest event of the year. They are in no rush to make a deal as they aren't technically losing much money. The players on the other hand have a pay day coming up midway through the month of October. They will be the aggressors come early October to try and wheel a deal. If they want their first season paycheck, they will have to come up with something by this time. If not, they will be losing money very soon.  However, with Don Fehr running the show, they won't be so quick to jump into an agreement in which they aren't getting what they want.

This battle is just as bloody as the last one and we all know what happened with that season. It's already becoming a struggle everyday to read the headlines of nothing happening on the forefront and nothing in the immediate future. As time goes on, I don't see things getting better in time to save this season. There is probably a month left to get a deal done. If November hits and nothing has been done, I fully expect nothing to get done and the 2012-2013 season to be lost. Pray for the opposite, but don't be confident either.