Every week, The Maven opens his column for questions about the Blueshirts. The following gem comes via Ed Gabos of Brooklyn.
This provocative question comes from Ed Gabos of Brooklyn.
I'M BEGINNING TO WORRY; THAT WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT ENDING IN TWO YEARS, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF ANOTHER LOCKOUT, OR WORK STOPPAGE?
The Maven's Answer: Slim to none. For starters, Commissioner Bettman just revealed that the Salary Cap is projected to go up by $4.5 million to about $92.5 million. That's a lot of dough and should make the players happy.
Also, the Commissioner said, "Collectively we're in a good place. We've had our most successful season in history." That means that there's plenty of cash all around. And if you don't believe me, I predict that Madison Square Garden will give in to Igor Shesterkin's demands and make him the highest-paid goalie in history.
Another consideration is the personality of new NHL Players' Association boss Marty Walsh. The former mayor of Boston is not one looking for a fight. There will be good faith negotiations with Commission Bettman; nothing like the bitter Bettman-Bob Goodenow wars that led to long work stoppages.
All indications from early Gary-Bob exchanges have indicated that the pair not only get along on a purely business level but there's mutual personal admiration.
The Maven's prediction: Not to worry. There won't be a lockout and both sides will be happy because the league and the union never had it so good!