National Hockey League Operations
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
For the Future of the Game National Hockey League Operations “Ice hockey is a form of disorderly conduct in which the score is kept.” —Doug Larson Contents Letter from the Director ................................................................................................... 4 Mandate .......................................................................................................................... 5 Background ...................................................................................................................... 6 Beginnings of the National Hockey League ............................................................ 6 Expansion Era ....................................................................................................... 7 Modern Era ........................................................................................................... 7 Topics for Discussion ..................................................................................................... 10 NHLPA Negotiations .......................................................................................... 10 Olympic Games ................................................................................................... 11 Expansion of the Game and Public Image ............................................................ 11 Concussions ........................................................................................................ 12 Seattle Expansion ................................................................................................ 13 Positions ........................................................................................................................ 15 Online References .......................................................................................................... 24 Letter from the Director Dear Delegates, Welcome! I am Tian Geng and I am excited to be your director for National Hockey League Operations at WUMUNS XII. I am a junior from Nashville double- majoring in biology and philosophy-neuroscience-psychology, and I’ve been an avid Model UN participant since high school. I love being able to come together and debate current events in a collaborative and unique way, and I hope that we can all have fun doing the same with a hockey twist! This committee will simulate a body concerned with the running and management of the number four major professional sports league of North America, the National Hockey League. You will make up a group of executives and managers representing team, media, public relations, and union interests, all brought together because of the desire for increased profitability, growth of the game, and player protection. Set in the present day, your task is to make moves toward this desire while also dealing with the league’s approaching expansion into Seattle. Thanks so much for joining me for this committee. I’m looking forward to a great WUMUNS, and I can’t wait to see what you all do. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. And finally, go Preds! Sincerely, Tian Geng 4 Mandate Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for coming together for this extraordinarily important meeting. In the coming years, we must make key decisions to ensure the National Hockey League and the sport of hockey itself remain successful and secure. We have a lot of work to do. As our current Collective Bargaining Agreement end date nears, a new agreement is necessary to avoid the turmoil of past lockouts. Player safety is also of utmost importance, as we see a concerning link between injuries and future health problems. Hockey also must grow as a game, bringing enjoyment to a wider audience. We must decisively demonstrate that the NHL celebrates inclusivity and diversity. In addition to the issues above, the NHL’s expansion to thirty-two teams into Seattle is slated for 2021. I was pleased to see our hard work culminate in a fantastic inaugural season for the Vegas Golden Knights, and I hope to see the team in Seattle reach similar heights. A smooth expansion process is crucial to its success. We are at a critical point for the future of hockey, where our decisions today will monumentally affect the game. It is my hope that all of us, regardless of whether you represent the National Hockey League or another organization, can come together and work alongside one another toward these common goals. Sincerely, Gary B. Bettman Commissioner 5 Background Beginnings of the National Hockey League Ice hockey dates back to various forms of stick-and-ball games throughout history and in different civilizations. Its contemporary form and popularity in North America can be traced back to an initial development in Montreal in the 1870s. From the 1880s to the 1910s, many different hockey clubs existed and competed against one another. The beginnings of the modern NHL formed from the National Hockey Association (NHA) in 1917, starting as most great groups start: trying to get rid of someone annoying. The NHA was the most prominent league in the 1910s, but by 1916 it was facing a multitude of financial difficulties and player shortages due to World War I. All the team owners were particularly frustrated with Eddie Livingstone, owner of the Toronto Blueshirts. Realizing they couldn’t force him out, they suspended the NHA and formed the National Hockey League (NHL). For a time, the NHL did well, aside from a few arena fires and team losses. It competed with several other hockey leagues for the coveted Stanley Cup, a trophy donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, as well as the best hockey players. Due to the competition, hockey players were very highly paid. As other leagues folded, various teams joined the NHL. The sport’s rules evolved along with the NHL’s growth, as well as many fierce rivalries. By 1926, the NHL was considered the primary high-caliber hockey league and exclusively competed for the Stanley Cup. In 1947, the NHL was granted exclusive control of the Cup. However, the Great Depression and World War II took a massive toll on the NHL, bankrupting many teams and leaving others without enough players. By 1942, only six teams remained: the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams became known as the “Original Six.” The Original Six would remain the same and compete with one another until 1967, in which a large expansion era began. 6 Expansion Era For the 1967–68 season, six new teams were added in Los Angeles, Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. These teams formed the new West Division. After their expansion drafts, several teams created several farm systems with minor league teams, a system that still exists today with the American Hockey League (AHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). By 1974, six new teams were added to expand into other markets, spurred on by the main rival league, the World Hockey Association (WHA), forming in 1972 and luring away several star players. However, by 1979, the WHA ceased to exist, and the NHL absorbed four of its teams. In 1972, the NHL began playing internationally for the first time, pitting Canadian players against Soviet Union players in the Summit Series. Europeans began to join the NHL, though Soviets could only play through defection. This decade saw a flourishing of hockey, and in particular, was known for very aggressive and violent play. This reputation remains to this day, thanks to the famed “Broad Street Bullies,” or Philadelphia Flyers. By 1979, there were 21 teams, which remained constant until 1992. The 1980s were known for high skill and scoring. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux were the highest scorers, defining an era of gifted forwards, and still have records that have yet to be broken. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Soviet players were allowed to play in North America, and so the NHL opened up to many more international players. In 1990, the NHL revealed ambitious plans to double revenues and reach 28 teams. Modern Era Beginning in 1991, ten teams were added. However, this current era has been marked by several labor conflicts interrupting seasons. The first NHL strike was launched by the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) in 1992 and allowed for greater player rights and revenue shares. This marked a major moment in labor relations in the league. Because of his response to the strike, the League’s president was removed and replaced with Gary Bettman, who remains commissioner to this day. His goals included expanding in the American market, ending labor unrest, completing expansions, and modernizing the 7 League. However, ending labor unrest was a formidable goal; because there was no collective bargaining agreement, a lockout occurred in 1994–95, halving the season. The 1990s were marked by a decline in goalscoring, a sharp difference from the high scores of the 80s. The average goals per game markedly dropped, causing these years to be termed the “dead puck era.” Beginning in 1998, the NHL began to compete in the Winter Olympics, participating through 2014 and allowing for greater international exposure. Unfortunately for the League, hundreds of millions were lost in revenue over the 2002–2003 season and the collective bargaining agreement was set to expire. The entire 2004–2005 season was lost after the players were locked out until negotiations resulted in a hard salary cap and changes to free agency. A lockout also ensued in 2012–13, canceling almost half