I don't disagree with you on anything but let's not forget that these players are extremely well compensated for all those slights. It ain't minimum wage and they aren't by any means limited by their short term employment from going back to school and pursuing other career options during their remaining old age years from 25 onwards.
Normally, I wouldn't have much objection to a competently-run pro sports league telling the players thanks but no thanks we don't want your input on relocation, expansion, contraction and other basic business matters. But the NHL has repeatedly demonstrated such mind-boggling incompetence with respect to these issues that they could clearly use the help.
... indeed, and its the blank space between these two positions, philosophies & opinions, both valid that is as wide as the Grand Canyon, bridges almost impossible to build. On the one hand, players are extremely well paid, looked after, everything first class, getting paid the kind of money most can only dream about, set for life. Even at 43 or 47% of HRR's. How much money do you need, and how much is too much before the business model upon which its built cracks & crumbles? Maybe the players should just bite the bullet & go with the flow? Its not like their losing a whole Hell of a lot. The smaller issues, like Arbitration, age of eligibility & or terms pursuant to RFA etc are all negotiable, stick & carrot stuff.
According to the NHL, that lines already been crossed, and despite record revenue increases, profitability stagnant, non-existent, a great number of teams simply unable to keep up, compete. If you turn over $3B in revenues yet your losses are such that your actual profit is wiped out, then ya, youve got yourselves a serious problem. I agree with you
marcel, the reason theyve gotten themselves to what they claim is untenable has everything to do with incompetence. It is however a private business, run like a private club, and theres just no way they'll ever permit an Arbitrator, the NHLPA, a Jim Balsillie or anyone else for that matter to challenge their God given right of determination.