New York: The National Hockey League (NHL) and players’ association returned to the bargaining table in New York yesterday but a 90-minute meeting failed to produce a breakthrough.
Discussions involving NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, four owners, NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr and 18 players offered no hope of brokering a new collective bargaining agreement.
“No progress to report,” Daly said. “I would expect we will meet again sometime this week, although that has not been confirmed.”
Fehr, representing players who have been locked out by the owners since September 15, told reporters the union had been keen to discuss player contracting issues with the league but that the NHL had been “unwilling” to do so during yesterday’s meeting.
Daly said the league wanted the union to submit a detailed economic proposal, covering all issues, before the subject of player contracting could be addressed.
“I understand there is a lot of frustration in the process,” said Daly. “I’m frustrated in terms of being where we are and not playing hockey.”
Yesterday’s round of negotiations was the first between the two groups in eight days and came amidst mounting speculation that the league could cancel more games later this week if no progress was made. REUTERS
