Quoting: STLBlues17
I think it’s more likely they go no cap for a year than do that.
Quoting: Kotkaniemi15
While the NHL may lose a lot of money, it is literally impossible to drop the cap $40 million.
Quoting: BeastModeUnknown
40% of the salary cap but it took the percentage sign away, but that is what I have heard.
Can't see a drop of that magnitude as it would decimate the NHLPA's clout for one.
I quick scanned the CBA and surprisingly there was no mention of a "
Force Majure" clause (it's common in business contracts to have this type of clause to cover the "acts of god" or 'earthquakes', 'floods', 'locusts' or COVID) which can cause the full business disruption!
The only comparable I can think of is the KHL and the unfortunate Lokomotiv plane crash. My guess is that there was nothing to cover that tragedy on "paper" but in time the league/players adapted and had a "special draft" specifically designed to get them back to playing.
The NHL/NHLPA will likely have a fair-resolution drafted for COVID that is not as drastic as a US$40M Cap decline.
The light at the end of the tunnel for owners &/or players in the near future includes new $$$ via: Seattle expansion fees, new TV/streaming deals and gambling revenue increases to name a few.