Don’t be mad at the National Hockey League. Fans of the NHL have only the NHL Player’s Association to blame for the cancellation of the 2004-05 season. It is certain that unless a salary cap is established, at least several clubs will go out of business.

Though some would attribute that to markets at work, that is not the case.

Attendance isn’t the problem; the problem is team owners who’ve made their millions elsewhere buying teams and buying the best, most expensive players to pick up more wins. These owners don’t care if they lose money; their only focus is taking advantage of the absence of a salary cap. Although teams like the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers have payrolls greater than $75 million, teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres (with payrolls of approximately $30 million) struggle to stay in business because the cost of players has been driven up so far by millionaires buying wins. For future players, a salary cap actually makes sense — more functioning teams provide more employment opportunities. True, some of the owners originally drove salaries up, but the NHLPA and established players who don’t want a sensible pay cut are the only ones stopping a resolution now.

Benjamin Lord

Sophomore

History