In light of the NHL’s initial Collective Bargaining Agreement offer to the players union one that the New York Post’s Larry Brooks beleives is more accurately described as a ”declaration of war” how should the players respond when NHLPA and NHL reconvene in New York City this week?

According to Brooks, the union’s starting point ought to be at the exact the opposite end of the spectrum from the owners: Elimination of the salary cap, a payroll tax for teams that spend above $80 million and free agency after three years.

“This is not an initial good-faith proposal” from the league, Brooks writes. “This is an immediate attempt to measure the willingness of the players to fight.” And counter-offer like the one described above would leave no doubt that the gloves are off.


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