Nhl

The National Hockey League (NHL) has been through its share of controversies over the past decade and a half. In 1992, the league endured its first work stoppage, brought on because the players felt they were being mistreated. This April 1992 strike only lasted 10 days, and regular season play resumed shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) wasn't completely satisfied with the ad hoc arrangement made.In beginning of the 1994-1995 season, the NHL players staged another lockout, which lasted the first three months of the season. By the time the conflict was resolved, the NFL season, which usually lasts 84 games, had dwindled down to 48 games. For the rest of the season, the NHL teams were forced to play within their own conferences. Still, compromises on both sides enabled the extension of contracts and a seeming resolution of tensions.In 1998, the collective bargaining agreement from the NHL 1995 season was ratified. Six years later, in September of 2004, however, the contract came up for renegotiation again. This time, the players and owners had an even bigger row. The players complained that owners were placing salary caps on them. The owners refused to renegotiate terms.After months of negotiations, the NHL finally gave up on the 2004-2005 season, becoming the first professional sports league of its stature to forfeit a full season as a result of player labor troubles. Experts disagree on the source of the NHL's labor woes. Some believe that the league over-extended itself by opening up too many franchises. Others contend that NHL owners need to take a few pages from the owners of baseball and football teams.