- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHL and NHLPA met for almost 6 hours yesterday, discussing revenue sharing and the “make whole” provision. Both sides are not saying much about how the talks are going.
“The National Hockey League’s negotiating committee met with representatives of the National Hockey League Players’ Association for approximately 5-1/2 hours today” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. “Meetings are scheduled to resume tomorrow. We do not intend to comment on the substance or subject matter of today’s negotiations.”
“The NHLPA and the NHL met today to discuss many of the key issues. We look forward to resuming talks tomorrow,” NHL executive director Donald Fehr said.”
The union wants an enhanced revenue sharing system, with the successful teams helping out the struggling teams more. As for ‘make whole,’ the NHL originally offered to have the payments deferred that would reduce the players share, the union wanted the owners to bear the responsibility.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: They spent the first 3+ hours talking about revenue sharing.
- Larry Brooks via twitter: Several sources have said that the NHL is not committed to contract term limits, but is committed to ending front-loaded deals. Amnesty buyouts are on the table. Two sources say the NHL would ‘make whole’ with a portion being deferred. Unclear if it only applies to the first two years. Pierre LeBurn via twitter: The most important “get” for the NHL on player contracts is getting rid of front loaded-deals. Belief is that the NHL can live without many of their player contract demands. Elliotte Friedman via twitter: The players may not like front-loaded deals as well, murder in escrow years.
- Damien Cox via twitter: “This “make whole” biz is just nonsense well spun by PA. Players have NEVER been guaranteed face value of contracts. Always subject to CBA.”
- John Shannon via twitter: Players at the meetings dropped to 8 from 13. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Some players left to avoid the storm that was going to hit New York.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: “One source says – way too early to thinksay a deal is close to being done, however, others hint if today goes well agreement won’t be far. “
- John Shannon via twitter: Shannon was told that it continues to be “a work in progress.”
- Doug Maclean via twitter: (before yesterday’s meetings) Maclean was told by someone in the know yesterday, that Tuesday’s talks were close to a waste of time.