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NHL
Q&A: The lockout
By TOM JONES
Published July 14, 2005
Is this a done deal?
Sort of. It still must be approved by the owners and players union next week. However, the executive committees of both sides have recommended approval and ratification should not be a problem.
Who gave what?
The players gave the most, agreeing to a 24 percent rollback on existing contracts and giving in to the owners' demand of a hard salary cap.
What is the salary cap?
The salary cap will be based on league revenues, with the players receiving no more than 54 percent of the revenues. The salary cap is expected to be about $39-million the first season. Teams also must spend a minimum - that figure is expected to be roughly $21-million.
Is there a maximum a player can make in a season?
A player cannot make more than 20 percent of a team's payroll, about $7.8-million.
When will the season start?
The schedule won't be released until the deal is approved, but the regular season should begin in early October.
When will Lightning tickets go on sale?
Season tickets are on sale now. The Lightning box office is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or call (813) 301-6500. Ticket plans have yet to be finalized, but 3,000 tickets per game will be $19, or as low as $6.99 if purchased as a season ticket. Information on single-game tickets will be available when the schedule is announced.
How does the new deal affect the Lightning?
Over the long haul, a small-market team such as the Lightning should benefit from a system that curtails player costs. In the short-term, the Lightning has work to do to re-sign free agents and keep its Stanley Cup team intact, but the good news is the Lightning already is well under the cap.
Which Lightning players are free agents now?
The big ones are goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and forwards Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and captain Dave Andreychuk. St. Louis and Lecavalier are restricted free agents, meaning the Lightning has the right to match any offer. Khabibulin and Andreychuk are unrestricted free agents, meaning the Lightning does not have the right to match.
Will Andreychuk come back?
Indications are Andreychuk, who turns 42 in September, will attempt to play his 23rd season.
When can teams sign free agents?
Not until sometime after the agreement is approved.
What about the draft?
The draft is expected to be held July 30 in Ottawa, though the league has not confirmed that.
How will the NHL determine the order?
A pingpong ball lottery will be held based on the past three seasons. The Lightning has a 1-in-48 chance of winning the lottery. The Rangers, Sabres, Penguins and Blue Jackets have the best shot with a 3-in-48 chance. The winner gets the right to pick Sidney Crosby, considered one of the best prospects in draft history.
Are there any new rules?
The league is expected to make several rule changes, including smaller goaltending equipment and new offsides and icing rules intended to speed up the game. The new rules won't be announced until after the agreement is ratified.
Will the NHL have to worry about labor issues again?
The deal is for six years, but the players have the option to end the deal after four. Of course, this is assuming the owners and players vote to accept the deal next week.
[Last modified July 14, 2005, 06:25:10]
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Goodbye lockout, hello Lightning