- Chris Johnston via twitter: The NHLPA made offers on both revenue sharing and the players share/make whole on Wednesday night. Michael Russo via twitter: The NHL believed that the NHLPA would go to 50-50 and negotiate the “make whole.” The NHLPA again countered with gradually going to 50-50. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The NHLPA’s offer would see players get to 50-50 of HRR in year 3. Bruce Garrioch via twitter: The NHL is not interested in getting to 50-50 in year 3, which is why they made the ‘make whole’ provision now.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: This morning Dreger said that the NHL presented an offer to the NHLPA in response to to the PA’s offer on Wednesday. There is still a large gap.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHLPA felt in their offer, that because they went from 57% to 50%, they didn’t feel they had to give back in a lot of other areas. The NHL responded with an offer on both revenue sharing and ‘make whole,” honoring all existing player contracts. A source said the NHLPA wasn’t impressed by it. The NHL’s offer also included some player contract issues, and increased their revenue share model to $200 million. After their meeting, both sides went their separate ways for internal meetings.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Under the NHLPA’s revenue share system, 6 teams would get a huge chunk of it: Coyotes, Islanders, Blue Jackets, Panthers, Predators and Hurricanes.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: The NHLPA initially offered $240 million in revenue share in it’s initial proposal, the NHL offered $200 million. @mirtle said the NHLPA upped their number to $260 million in Wednesday’s offer.
- John Shannon via twitter: Players at yesterday’s meetings: David Backes, Chris Campoli, Mathieu Darche, Ron Hainsey, Johan Hedberg, Manny Malhotra and Kevin Westgarth.
- Katie Strang via twitter: Gary Bettman: “I don’t know what Don said but the fact is, we have a lot of work to do and we’re working hard.”
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Don Fehr: “I’m not going to characterize (talks) except to say that it’s always better when you’re meeting than when you’re not.”
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: After talking to 2 sources, Lavoie can say this: “We are not even close to a deal. NHL wants more concession from players … who are prepare to give 1 billion $ in 5 years. Not enough. NHL and PA are not close on make whole. Bottom line: lots of work to be done. The only good news, they are still talking and trying hard to find a solution on all the issues.”
- Doug Maclean via twitter: The Board of Governors were sent a memo on Wednesday night from Bettman saying that if there was not traction yesterday, talks could breakdown. So it looks like there was some traction made yesterday.
- John Shannon via twitter: Shannon was told that the NHL was not sure if there was any real traction made yesterday. They’ll wait for the NHLPA to respond on Friday.
- Steve Zipay via twitter: Zipay noted yesterday that the next 24-48 hours will be tipping point if talks really move forward or slide sideways.
- Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: Some agents, and some B, C type players are making their frustration clear to the NHL.