15 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

TSN learned Monday that the NHL Players' Association has accepted a request made by the NHL on Friday to return to the bargaining table. The talks will take place later this week at an undisclosed location.

Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow are expected to both be at this week's meeting.

<LINK>

[Barmy Army]

cue Janice from Friends accent...

Ohhhh my gawd

[SacredCow]

At least they are talking. Nothing can happen without meetings, so hopefully this sets the table for the two sides to reach an agreement before May 1st.

(Incidentally, May 1st is the date that NHL teams will start to market their season tickets for 2005-2006, and if there is no agreement in place by then they will have to significantly reduce the price of their packages and/or offer incentives to fans willing to buy tickets. Therefore, them getting a deal in place before then is in their best interest.)

[M T]

May 1st is also my birthday . GET IT DONE BOYS!!!!!!

[JasonAKADfan8]

Let's get this done and get excited about a 2005-06 NHL season!!!

[PortBeach13]

They better get this deal done!!!

[Just Duckie]

I hope, I hope they settle this thing soon. All we want is NHL hockey back on the ice, even if it's not until next season.

We hockey fans are ever optimistic, but so far the NHL and the NHLPA have been taking a lot for granted getting our hopes up only to slam the door in our faces each time

[Reb]

Well I wish Bettman and Goodenow WEREN'T at the meetings.
I think the union and the league can accomplish a heck of a lot more without 'em.

[DropThePuck]

I'm not sure when they posted the updated article, but check the link again. Comments from Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett have been inserted.

Gillett declined to give a date needed to settle the dispute in order to prepare normally for the 2005-06 season, but said they are "very close to that date."

The Canadiens owner, whose speech was planned months in advance, said he was told by Bettman to watch his words. He joked to about 150 Canadian Club members at a luncheon at a downtown hotel that he put his speech in writing in case Bettman wanted to fine him.

[Francaise]

Talk talk talk...Let's sign sign sign a new CBA CBA CBA!!!!!

[SacredCow]

I had a dream last night that I was at the first NHL game after the lockout and it was great! Let's hope that becomes a reality in about six months or so.

[DropThePuck]

Hey SC, did your dream reveal any of these owner options??

1: CBA signed by NHL and NHLPA
2: Lockout continues into 2nd year (you didn't say how far in the future your dream was)
3: 82-game schedule with replacement players
4: 60-game schedule with replacement players
5: legal impasse declared, 82-game schedule with NHL CBA
6: same as #5, but 60-game schedule

Bettman gives owners homework

[DropThePuck]

Saskin and Daly give TSN their news bites: <LINK>

[Dark Knight]

Saskin and Daly give TSN their news bites:  <LINK>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

''At the end of the day, we think what fans of the NHL want to see are the very best players playing NHL hockey,'' Saskin told TSN. " Of course we do, but we will watch replacement players if that's what we have.

Morons!

[DropThePuck]

The Lockout By the Numbers

2 - times the NHL season has been previously interrupted because of labour conflict.
24 - percent rollback in current NHL contracts in the NHLPA's Dec. 9 proposal.
75 - percent of team revenues owners say was paid out in player costs.
103 - days without hockey during lockout of 1994-95.
464 - games lost during NBA lockout during 1997-98 season, the last sports labour interruption.
$733,000 - average NHL player salary at time of 1994 lockout.
$1,830,126 - average NHL player salary last season.
$29 million to $44 million - amount the NHLPA is paying to over 700 locked out players.
$96 million - amount Forbes Magazine says NHL clubs lost last season.
$123 million - in losses NHL should claim in 2002-03 season according to Forbes Magazine.
$224 million - amount NHL says its clubs lost last season.
$273 million - in losses NHL claims in 2002-03 season.
$300 million - in owners' lockout fund (each of the 30 clubs put in $10 million).

[DropThePuck]

Meeting ends after 90 minutes

''We met with the NHL Players' Association today in Toronto for approximately 1.5 hours,'' Daly said in a statement. ''No progress was made towards a new collective bargaining agreement. The parties have agreed to meet again next week.''

''It was a general conversation, no specific components or concepts were delved into,'' Goodenow said.