Details Emerge On Changes To AHL's CBA For 2020-21 Season
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The Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA) approved the American Hockey League's (AHL) latest proposal Friday, moving things one step further toward a resolution.
The approved changes to the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by the PHPA also needs approval from the league's Board of Governors, which is set to meet on Monday.
A source with direct knowledge of these changes provided InsideAHLHockey.com with plenty of insight on what was reportedly a three-page document sent from AHL President/CEO Scott Howson to PHPA Executive Director Larry Landon last Saturday with terms of a decision requested by Thursday at 11 a.m.
This document stated that, if accepted, it would supersede and replace the agreement made between the PHPA and AHL on June 2nd, which InsideAHLHockey first reported on earlier this week.
The document from Howson to Landon also said that in the event the proposal wasn't approved that the AHL would operate under the terms of the June 2nd legally enforceable agremeent or not operate during the 2020-21 season as well as reseving all other rights available at law.
As you can see, the PHPA was stuck between a rock and a hard place. They had already previously agreed to a salary proration over the summer, and the AHL wasn't backing down from that.
Here are the components of the changes, which will only apply to the 2020-21 season. See below.
What Does The Latest Proposal Entail?
AHL teams will pay all players on one-way AHL standard player contracts (SPC) a minimum of 40% of their salary regardless of how many games are played in the 2020-21 season. The 40% guarantee would not apply to players if they a) opt out of the season by providing written notice to his team prior to February 1st, 2021, or b) opt out during the season. For players who opt out during the season, the player would received only the salary earned to the date of his decision to opt out.
All players playing in the AHL will be paid at the rate of 48% of their salaries beginning February 5th. This applies to players on AHL contracts assigned to the ECHL as well as players on NHL contracts assigned to the ECHL.
No player shall receive a salary below $30,000 while playing in the AHL.
As InsideAHLHockey.com reported earlier this week, players with a salary below $62,500 will be paid at a rate of $30,000 while player salaries above $62,500 will be paid at the rate of 48% of his salary.
If the season is cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, teams are not obligated to pay any player on an AHL SPC in excess of the 40% guarantee unless the total games scheduled as of the date of cancellation exceed 40% of 1,146, in which case players will get paid the appropriate percentage.
The same goes for if one or more teams or divisions cancel the season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Also in the approved agreement, AHL will attempt to have the teams start paying the players their salaries as soon as possible provided it is practical for the teams to do so.
All bonuses, both thresholds and amounts, in AHL SPC's will be prorated at the same perentage that the number of games scheduled for a player's team in the 2020-21 season is the number of games his team usually plays in a normal season. Also, all signing bonuses in AHL SPC's will be paid in full.
In terms of guarantees in AHL SPC's, they'll be reduced to 75% of the guarantee. For example, a player with a contract of $51,000 in the AHL and $20,000 in the ECHL with a guarantee of $28,000 will have a guarantee of $21,000.
Playoffs for the 2020-21 season will be at the sole discretion of the AHL. No additional compensation will be paid to players for any playoff games.
AHL teams shall make reasonable efforts to assist the players in finding affordable housing.
Teams will contribute to the Health and Welfare Trust by paying premiums for February and March to ensure insurance coverage through September, 30 2021 for AHL players insured as of December 31st, 2020 and for other players that play in the AHL during the 2020-21 season.
The 'Veteran Rule' will remain as is. That means teams can only dress six skaters with over 260 professional games accrued entering the 2020-21, and of those six one player must have accrued less than 320 pro games at the start of the season. Teams will be permitted to exceed the limits on veterans on a case by case basis at the discretion of AHL President/CEO Scott Howson if rosters are reduced for any game due to COVID-19 protocols.
The current CBA will be extended by one year on the same terms and will expire on August 31, 2025.
