I just can't let this idea of decertification go...
The way I see it, the NHLPA is opposed to a salary cap of any kind on "philosophical" grounds. (Philosophically, if team salaries are capped, you can only suck so much money out of the owners...) Also, they want to keep an arbitration system that is very heavily in their favor, even if the owners can take a player to arbitration. The NHLPA is also against giving up the 75% buyout on contracts, and I'm sure they don't want all contracts to be two-way contracts. If you listen to some posters here, a cap will hurt the lower end players the most, since the best will still get their money. If the NHL tries to force a salary cap on the players by declaring an impasse (assuming they win...), the NHLPA will vote to decertify.
If the NHLPA does decertify, where does that leave the players? They will win on the salary cap issue by decertifying. but what about the rest?
Arbitration? Can't have that without a CBA
Buyouts? Has to be negotiated separetly by each player. The better the player, the better deal he will be able to get.
Two-way contracts? Has to be negotiated separetly by each player. The better the player, the better deal he will be able to get.
How about some other issues...
Insurance. I'm sure each team will have a very basic insurance package, which the players will have to pay for, just like you and I do, and I'm pretty sure that the players will be able to buy additional coverage if they want, but that will be on them.
Travel. Busses whenever possible. Commercial flights for everyone....
Hotels. If I were an owner, I'd be looking at dormatories at local colleges, or perhaps each team will buy a building next to their areana and set up a big bay type barracks, kind of like if they were in the army...
Travel allowances/stipends. Negotiated individually
And then back to who gets the money. The stars will still get the best money and the best contracts. The lower end players will get even less than they would under a cap since their contract will not be guaranteed, and if they falter, they go to the minors, no matter how long they have been in the league.
Yep. The players will certainly win if they decertify...
(I know some of the above is extreme, but it can happen...)