- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Steve Fehr said that both the NHL and NHLPA met separately with the federal mediator yesterday. The NHL and NHLPA will speak today, either face to face over on the phone.
- AP in Boston Herald: The federal mediator wasn’t able to bring the NHL and NHLPA closer to a deal.
“I’m not sure what the next steps will be,” Daly told The Associated Press in an email. “I do expect the mediators to stay involved in terms of monitoring our ongoing negotiations, but at this point there are no further sessions planned. It doesn’t appear there was movement by either side on any of the main issues over the last two days.”
President Barack Obama had this to say on the NHL Lockout:
“My message to owners and to players is, ‘You guys make a lot of money and you make a lot of money on the backs of fans, so do right by your fans. You can figure out how to spread out a bunch of revenue that you’re bringing in, but do right by the people who support you,’” Obama said. “And I shouldn’t have to be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners. They should be able to settle this themselves. And remember who it is that’s putting all that money in their pockets.”
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Outside of the NHL’s 3 main issues, both sides would also have to decide on whether or not to be involved with the Winter Olympics, will there be conference realignment for 2013-14, and a transition plan for the new agreement. Would teams be allowed to go over the new cap without penalty in the first year?
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Speculation is ranging from potential deal to decertification. If the players decertify, it would kill the year.
- Nick Cotsonika via twitter: Cotsonika asks Dreger if a disclaimer of interest would kill the season? Cotsonika notes how the NBA got a deal shortly after they did. Dreger thinks that it probably would kill the season due to the time the NHL would invest in fighting it off.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: It’s not sounding like the NHLPA is willing to work with the NHL’s 3 main issues. The NHL said they won’t move on it. No progress.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Teams are insisting that the $300 million is gone, and the $211 million is in serious question.
- John Shannon via twitter: Mediators look to be out the picture again.
- Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: One team executive said he’s doubtful that all 30 teams can survive the lockout. Contraction is a tough route though.
- Fluto Shinzawa via twitter: From one agent: “Embarrassing to be associated with the game right now.”
