Jagr Speaks Out On Lockout

Jaromir Jagr has supported my claims regarding the NHL's lockout: ``We started the fight because we didn't agree with the introduction of salary caps,'' Jagr said. ``Now, we'll be happy to get them. We didn't expect the owners to be so tough and persistent. It was a risk that didn't pay off.'' Full story here.

If the player's union would have at least accepted the possibility of a salary cap prior to the final hours before the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, it could have been saved. Now, almost 5 months after that date rumor has it that a salary cap plan has been agreed upon and minor issues are being hammered out. In fact, if the details of the proposed deal are correct, the upper limit on the salary cap would be around $36 million. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in an effort to save the season, offered a last chance $42.5 million cap a day or two prior to cancelling the season...so the player's have done a fine job of holding out to get less. And with the new collective bargaining agreement most surely to be linked to revenues, they will really feel the hit once they realize that the avid supporters of the NHL are in even further decline. For some reason most everyone knows that the NHL is the least cared about major sport in America except the players of the NHL...they may become aware of the truth now.