What's in the deal?

Sunday, 06 January 2013 08:15

Written by Dave Molinari

Some highlights of the tentative agreement between the NHL and NHL Players' Association that, if ratified by both parties, will end the lockout that began Sept. 16:

*** The agreement is for 10 years, with the parties being able to opt out after eight.

*** Teams will be permitted two buyouts before the 2013-14 season.

*** Contracts can run a maximum of seven years, or eight if a player is being re-signed.

*** Free agency will continue to start on July 1.

*** The salary in multi-year contracts will be allowed to vary as much as 35 percent from one year to the next, but the final season must be worth at least 50 percent of the highest-valued one.

*** The players will receive 50 percent of hockey-related revenue, down from 57 percent in the previous CBA.

*** Teams can spent up to $702 million on player contracts in the season that will begin later this month, but the salary-cap ceiling for the 2013-14 season will be $64.3 million.

*** All 14 non-playoff teams will have a chance to end up with the first overall draft choice because a stipulation that teams can move up no more than four slots has been removed.

*** There will be $200 million in revenue-sharing funds.