OTHL -- The commissioners of the OTHL got together today in Stockholm, Sweden for the first of 4 scheduled talks regarding the OTHL CBA that expires annually at the end of each season. Assembled at the meeting were OTHL commissioners Greg Byron, Jan Lapiolahti, Mathias Vaigur and Jason Fisher along with several ex-pro players including Doug Brown, Bob Probert, Wendel Clark, Christian Ruuttu, Pat Lafontaine, Johan Garpenlov, Dave Gagner, Dave Manson and Dave Babych. The talks are designed to work out problems with rules, problems between players and management and to work on the overall league structure.
The talks went on for 5 hours today, apparently they would have went much longer but Probert, Clark and Manson had an "appointment" at a bar in downtown Stockholm. Among things discussed at the meeting were changes to the salary cap system, the 2005 entry draft, no-trade clauses, contract negotiations and a salary roll back. Some other minor suggestions were made by the ex-pros. Doug Brown and Johan Garpenlov were lobbying to somehow force teams into giving every player equal ice time, Clark and Babych were trying to get playoff beards to be mandatory and Probert was trying to get the instigator rule thrown out.
From what our sources have heard, the talks have gone well and progress is being made which means an OTHL lockout is unlikely. Commissioner Greg Byron gave a short interview afterwards;
Reporter: What is the goal of these talks and should we expect any drastic changes?
Byron: Well our goal here is to improve the league overall and to sort out anything that has gone wrong this year and make changes so even less will go wrong next year. You can expect some drastic changes, yes.
Reporter: What kind of drastic changes might be in store?
Byron: Now if I told you that I'd have to ki.... oh I mean, well, you might see different teams try out some fancy new uniforms, yeah like some ones with fluff on them and sparkles - we want to dazzle it up a bit.
Reporter: Okay... but is it really all we can expect?
Byron: No, we are going to make some structural changes to the league as well. The salary cap system still needs some work and there are some other things on the financial side of things that we are looking at.
Reporter: How about any on ice changes? Do you like any of the players ideas?
Byron: Clark and Babych's idea of mandatory playoff beards seems cool, but I'm not sure we can enforce that. Mike Ricci's side job as a cross-dresser might be in jeopardy then.
Reporter: Do you expect to have a 2005 entry draft?
Byron: Of course, drafts are a fun time, always.
Reporter: What was Christian Ruuttu's purpose at the meeting?
Byron: To be honest I am not even sure why he was there. He tends to follow me around. Stange character he is.
The 3 other talks are all set to take place this week in Vantaa - Finland, Vancouver - Canada and Pittsburgh - USA. By the sounds of it, the OTHL CBA should be ready to go sometime before next season which is good news for any fan.