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(Image source: @BosBruinsFan / Twitter)
BY ROBERT ABEL
ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS
Negotiations between NHL owners and the players union are progressing after a long deadlock and the loss of much of the 2012-2013 season. Toronto’s CBLT has the scoop.
“Today is the second day of a new chapter in the NHL talks players and team owners meeting face-to-face and apparently making progress without Gary Bettman or Donald Fehr.”
The two sides have agreed to a 50-50 revenue split but have not agreed as to how they they will handle existing contracts. WIVB reports. (Video via WILM)
“Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller still playing a big role. Still just six owners across the table Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs on that list but reports are that Pitsburg owner Ron Burkle could be one of the men driving this in the right direction.”
The New York Times reports another factor that could be delaying negotiations: regulations concerning contract lengths.
“An important area believed to be under discussion ….was whether owners were willing to relent on demands to make it harder for players to attain free agency and go to salary arbitration. In exchange, players were being asked to accept limits to contract lengths.”
Under the previous bargaining agreement, there was no limit on contract lengths. Despite the disagreement there seems to be a positive vibe coming from the negotiation tables. The Los Angeles Times reports:
“‘I’m encouraged,’said Lou Lamoriello, the Devils’ president and general manager. ‘I’ve always been hopeful of having a season till we have one. But right now, we have to leave it in the hands of the people who are talking.’”
And Commissioner Bettman said this after a meeting with the NHL Board of Governors.
“We are pleased with the process that is ongoing, and out of respect for that process, I don’t have anything else to say.”
The NHL has canceled all games through December 14, as well as both the Winter classic and the All-Star game. To salvage any significant piece of the current season, any agreement would need to be reached within the next couple of weeks.