Reading the news this morning, I came across conflicting reports about yesterday's meeting between the NHL and the NHLPA. Some reports said there was some progress made, others said there was none. What we do know is that the NHLPA did not come in with a counterproposal.
Yesterday's meeting was considerably larger than previous ones. In addition to Goondenow, Bettman, Saskin, Daly, and their lawyers, Trevor Linden and the players' executive committee and the owners' negotiating team joined in the gathering.
Larry Brooks writes that there were no gains at the meeting, and the union formally rejected the two offers the league had put forward. Larry reports that those proposals included clauses that eliminated all 2004-2005 player contracts. He says those contracts will have to be dealt with through negotiations, however.
Bob McKenzie seems to be optimistic, but doesn't really specify why. I assume it is because sources indicated that one of the concepts discussed yesterday emerged as a possibly workable solution. The source indicates that a deal is still a long way away, but this one unspecified concept seemed to be a starting point. More on the meetings here.
Meanwhile, the NHL went ahead and filed a second complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the union for its policy to decertify agents who represent replacement players.
Al Strachan tells the league that they must focus on scoring when they have their meeting about improving the game. Al says the GMs must have a goal in mind (pun intended) when devising changes.
One of the Rodent's contacts reports that Rangers defenseman Maxim Kondratiev has failed a drug test and is disqualified from the Russian Super League finals. The league has not confirmed this yet, but it is something to keep an eye on.
HDH
Posted by Jim at April 05, 2005 10:06 AMeMail this entry!
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