After 310 dark days, a new era dawned Friday for the National Hockey League.
By a unanimous vote, the NHL’s board of governors in New York approved a new collective bargaining agreement, officially ending the longest work stoppage in professional sports history.
“A lot of fans have told us, ‘We don’t care about the details, just tell us when it’s over.’ Well, folks, it’s over,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.
Speaking into a microphone adorned by a new silver league logo, Bettman announced the final vote of 30-0 by the owners in favor of a new economic system, the principal feature of which is a league-wide salary cap. The minimum level teams can spend on player salaries at any time in a season will be $21.5 million, with a ceiling set at $39 million. Owners will spend no more than 54 percent of overall league revenues on player salaries for the 2005-06 season, which are projected at $1.7 billion.
“Our foundation for the future is now in place,” Bettman said. “The spotlight is back where it belongs, on the ice, on the world’s best professional athletes.
“We will return this game to the fans with a promise: We will do everything in our power to be the best we can be and to earn your devotion. We pledge to our fans that we will do everything we can to make it up to you.”
As expected, Bettman unveiled some rules changes that will be implemented for the upcoming season. The biggest change will be the elimination of the red line for purposes of allowing two-line passes. While the red line will remain on the ice to determine icing violations, no longer will a whistle blow for offsides if a pass originates from behind the blue line and passes the red. In other words, get ready for a lot more breakaways and home-run passes in the new NHL.
“We are going to let our offensive players do what they do best,” Bettman said.
And no longer will there be tie games in the new NHL. Shootouts will decide games, after five minutes of four-on-four overtime.
Restrictions on how much goalies can handle the puck will also be implemented. Goalie equipment will be slimmer, the nets will be moved 2 feet closer to the endboards and strict enforcement of obstruction will be in effect from the first through the last day of the season, Bettman pledged.
Opening night for all 30 NHL teams is Oct. 5.
The NHL’s players will participate in next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Italy. There will be no All-Star Game.
Team schedules will also be different. Conference teams will primarily play each other, while playing only two of the three divisions from the other conference, one at home and one on the road.
Saying, “I’m not going anywhere,” Bettman said he plans on keeping his job for years to come. Bettman did reward NHL legal counsel Bill Daly with a new title, NHL deputy commissioner.
A weighted lottery to determine the team with the first pick was held, and the Pittsburgh Penguins were the winner of what has been called the “Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes.” Crosby is regarded as the NHL’s next great superstar.
The Avalanche received the 27th pick in the draft, to be held July 30 in Ottawa.
“It’s time our fans have some fun again, and it’s our objective we give them all they can handle,” Bettman said. “We’re looking forward to leaving the business of the game in the background.”
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com
