NHL lockout of 2004-2005 was the third under lockout in NHL history and second under Commissioner Gary Bettman. The first lockout happened in 1992 which was the first NHL strike in history. The labor strike lasted for 10 days due to interference of United States Federal Mediator John Martin. This lockout led to many changes like increased regular season games from 80 to 84, tweaked free agent system, increased player control in licensing of likeness, Adding 2 neutral site games for every team in each season and increased player playoff bonus from $ 3.2 million to $7.5 million. No playoff or regular season games were lost in this lockout and this strike had major impact on future relation between player and owners and led to 1994 NHL Lockout.
NHL lockout of 1994-95 began on 1st October 1994 and many arguments were raised in this dispute which remains in memory of fans in future years. Owners proposed “Luxury Tax” to fund teams of small market and discourage increasing salaries. This proposal would require teams to be taxed in case they exceed average payroll of NHL and collected money will be distributed to franchises in need for finance. Players opposed this salary cap and suggested for finance of poor teams from the wealthier teams without any relation to payroll. Other issues in the dispute were disagreement on age of unrestricted free agent, rights of unrestricted and restricted free agent, playoff revenue distribution, size of roster and salary arbitration among other issues. This lockout lasted for 104 days and owners won concession of rookie cap, restriction of player earnings of “entry level” for initial three years. League got restriction on favorable salary arbitration and free agents. Player also had their say as league dropped their Luxury tax demand which could hinder increasing salaries. Finally, the season started in January 20th 1995 with season being shortened to 48 games from 84 games.
2005 NHL lockout was the first time in American sports history that an entire season for any major sport was cancelled due to labor issues. This lockout started on September 16th 2004 with expiration collective bargaining agreement negotiated between NHLPA and NHL which resolved lockout of 1994-95 and lasted for 10 months.
References
Klien, J Z. 10/2/2012. Breaking Down N.H.L.’s Three Lockouts. Retrieved from. http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/02/breaking-down-n-h-l-s-three-lockouts/?_r=0
MG. (1/1/2013). Today In NHL History - 1992 NHLPA Strike Begins. Retrieved from. http://www.puckreport.com/2010/04/today-in-nhl-history-1992-nhlpa-strike.html
Brehn M. (8/24/21012). How previous NHL lockouts unfolded. Retrieved from. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012-08-21/past-nhl-lockouts/57276222/1
