No progress in talks between NHL, players
No progress was made on key economic issues as the NHL and the players' union met Friday in New York in trying to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expressed disappointment as critical economic and system issues were not part of the talks.
"I wish we spent today on what we consider to be the more meaningful issues, but it is what it is," Daly said on NHL.com.
Two separate meetings combined to last six hours. The discussions included player-safety issues, drug testing, training and conditioning camps, scheduling and other topics related to working conditions.
"(We) can't make them talk about what they don't want to talk about," Daly said. "In fairness, we do have to cover off these issues if we're going to reach an agreement. So, what we're doing today is important, it's just not the most important things we can be doing."
Negotiations are scheduled to continue Saturday morning. Daly said hockey-related revenue issues, including circumvention and system arbitration procedures and processes, would be addressed. However, they do not plan to talk about the distribution of hockey-related revenue, Daly said.
The two sides also plan to talk Sunday.
Daly did say the first Friday session focused on "a good discussion on drug testing" that includes possible changes to the current system.
The two sides remain in disagreement over how to split $3 billion in revenue. NHLPA Special Counsel Steve Fehr said there are no plans to discuss the core economic issues Saturday.
The league locked out the players Sept. 16 after the collective bargaining agreement expired. The preseason schedule has been cancelled. The regular season is scheduled to beging Oct. 11.
