Coming into the negotiation, the players’ biggest concern was escrow, or the percentage of withholding from their paychecks each season to maintain a 50-50 revenue split between the players and owners. That concern grew after the massive revenue losses for the NHL this season due to the COVID-19 shutdown on March 12 and a postseason that will be played inside empty arenas. There were projections that the players’ escrow percentage could balloon as high as 35% next season. Instead, the CBA framework being discussed would cap escrow at 20% for the 2020-21 season. The players would also defer 10% of their salaries next season, which would both protect it from that high escrow and give owners additional cash flow. The players would get that back in around two years.
Seen more at: Montreal Canadiens face mask
