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REDlines: No Progress! None Of This Makes Any Sense.
The NHL and NHLPA met today without anything positive indicating that a settlement to the lockout was even remotely close. Rather than me write about it, you can read about it, as well as some other off the wall happenings of the day. Here’s your Redlines for Tuesday night:
* Talks broke off quickly and none are scheduled. Oh, and the league lost $100 million by cancelling the pre season. TSN.ca.
* Bill Daly says the two sides are communicating but can’t agree on what the CBA should look like. USAToday.
* CBC Sports looks at this (not so) great debate.
Like this:
NHL Labor Talks Resume Today. Will Progress Be Made?
The NHL and the NHLPA are scheduled to resume labor discussions today, however the talks aren’t expected to touch on the items that are keeping the sides at bay. Instead the two sides will discuss what the definition of hockey related revenue is. HRR to you and me. It was reported on Sportsnet.ca that there are no talks scheduled beyond Tuesday, once again giving the impression that there’s no sense of urgency to to get a deal completed by either side.
As the week progresses, we will certainly start coming dangerously close to seeing the cancellation of regular season games. I personally would expect by the end of this week if not sooner we’ll see at least two weeks worth of games taken off the schedule. While both sides have made some headway in discussing “secondary” issues, the major concerns still hang in the balance. Frustration is mounting among fans, and certain players (Krys Barch) have begun voicing their opinions. There’s even a We Love Hockey petition that’s been started.
I have read over the past few days that unless the players are willing to take a 15% pay cut, the league has no interest in discussion HRR. I’ve also read the the two biggest drivers of that are Gary Bettman and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs. The hardball stance that is taken by the league seems to be agitating the players, as they’ve offered to have serious discussions, yet the league has apparently avoided them. Read the rest of this entry
Baby Steps Taken As NHLPA And League Talk About Secondary Issues
After not meeting for two weeks the NHL and the NHLPA finally sat down Friday morning and actually made progress on things. Unfortunately not the things that you or I wanted them to agree on. Progress? Well, at least they talked. Secondary issues were the topics of conversation, and it was reported that the core economic issue that has both sides at an impasse wasn’t even discussed.
Former defenceman Mathieu Schneider who is now a special NHLPA assistant summed up the talks by referring to Friday’s discussion as making baby steps. Here’s the entire quote:
“You would absolutely hope that things progress and kind of catch fire, but right now we’re just going to take it one step at a time and try to come to an agreement on as many issues as possible,” said former player Mathieu Schneider, now an NHLPA special assistant to the executive director. “We’re taking baby steps right now.”
While the discussions were focused on drug testing, player safety and other topics that had nothing to do with the major issues, it was nice to see both sides in the room for longer than 90 minutes. Still, with no visible outcome resembling a settlement, the economic struggle still exists. I find it hard to believe that the season will start on time at the pace both sides are going. Friday was the first meeting since September 16th, and with opening night around the corner, things would need to happen rather quickly in order for the games to begin on time. The longer this goes, the more it looks as though games will soon be getting cancelled.
REDlines: Dark Days Ahead?
Can Brendan Shanahan suspend the labor discussions?:
Talks continue as both the NHL and NHLPA attempt to work out a settlement. Here in one place we bring you what are the important articles to read.
James Mirtle does an excellent job of breaking this down. Globe and Mail.
Michael Grange at Sportsnet doesn’t see this coming together soon. SportsNet.
Donald Fehr believes a lockout can be avoided. CBC Sports.
Fehr also lays out the union’s position. Pro Hockey Talk.
Justin Bourne says it’s not impossible for the players to play. Backhand Shelf.
Puck Daddy as this whole situation relates to the fans.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
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