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DETAILS OF THE DEAL
Here's a look at several key components included in the tentative six-year CBA to be voted on by the NHLPA and owners this week.
MONEY MATTERS
- Player costs, including benefits, for the 2005-06 season will be no more than 54 per cent of league-wide revenues.
- There will be a formula for revenue sharing in which the top-10 teams will contribute to the bottom 15 teams.
- There will be a 24 per cent rollback on all contracts now in place.
- The salary cap for the first year of the agreement will be $39 million. The minimum will be $21.5 million.
- The maximum and minimum levels in the first year are based on projected revenues of $1.7 billion. Levels can be adjusted up or down in subsequent years based on revenues.
- The maximum salary for any one player will be 20 per cent of the $39-million cap, or $7.8 million.
- Entry-level contracts allow for a maximum annual salary of $850,000 and the league-wide minimum salary will be $450,000.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
- Players with seven years of NHL service will qualify for unrestricted free agency as of the 2007-08 season. The age for UFA status will stay at 31 for this summer.
- Buyouts of existing contracts can be made at two-thirds of the value of the deal. The buyout period commences Saturday, assuming the agreement is ratified, and will continue for one week.
- Signing of free agents commences Aug. 1.
- Two-way salary arbitration will be adopted. In the previous CBA, only players had a right to opt for arbitration. Owners can now file for a hearing to reduce the amount paid to a player.
- A weighted lottery to determine the order of the 2005 Entry Draft will be held Thursday or Friday.