Talks between NHL and players union adjourn with little movement
Talks resumed Wednesday on a new collective bargaining agreement between the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association. While no progress was reported when both sides adjourned for the day late in the afternoon, it appears from a variety of reports that some movement may occur by week's end. Unfortunately, it's likely to be the kind of movement that the league isn't seeking.
Commissioner Gary Bettman offered a second proposal to the players union on Tuesday, a six-year deal, but it became increasingly apparent after Wednesday's session that the players will likely either reject Bettman's offer or return to the bargaining table either Thursday or Friday with a new proposal of their own, according to reports.
According to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, a counterproposal could potentially be brought forward by the union as early as Thursday.
Time is getting crucial for a new deal: the league said it will lock out the players if a new agreement is not reached by the time the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Sept. 15.
Bettman's latest proposal calls for the players' share of overall revenue be reduced from 57 to 46 percent, claiming players should not feel an "entitlement" to 57 percent, something Fehr countered by saying it was "a proposal that we intend to respond to."
