Report: Details on NHL’s opening proposal to players in new CBA talks

Renaud P. Lavoie of Canada’s RDS tweeted details of what is believed to be the NHL’s opening proposal to the NHL Players Association as the two sides try to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout.

NHL proposal to players: 1-reduce players hockey related revenues to 46% from 57 %. 2-10 seasons in NHL before being UFA.—
Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) July 14, 2012

3-contracts limites to 5 years 4-no more salary arbitration. 5- entry-level contract 5 years instead of 3.—
Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) July 14, 2012

All of the proposals are significant changes from the expiring CBA (analysis from Dirk Hoag of OntheForecheck.com), which, you may recall, was hailed as a major win for the owners back in 2005.

Here’s a sampling of reaction from NHL writers on Twitter:

What that @RenLavoieRDS report basically means is that unless the NHL is bluffing its ass off, we're heading for a lockout.—
Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 14, 2012

NHL proposal amounts to Declaration of War against NHLPA—
Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 14, 2012

I have a feeling the response from Don Fehr and the players wasn't "Where do we sign?"—
Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) July 14, 2012

Don't worry folks: The NHL's CBA proposal equates to *only* an immediate 22% reduction in player salaries. #OyVey #LockoutCity—
Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 14, 2012

UPDATE: Larry Brooks of the New York Post has some more details:

Post has learned proposal not only would reduce share to 46% of HRR as per @RenLavoieRDS but would redfine HRR to dramatically reduce gross—
Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 14, 2012

Post has learned proposal calls for ceiling to be set $4M above midpoint, floor $8M under—
Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 14, 2012

Post has learned proposal would eliminate signing bonuses and mandate same salary in each season with 5-yr term limit—
Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 14, 2012