NHL, NHLPA talks to continue in NYC

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NEW YORK CITY, NY (NEWS1130) – It will be a sparse gathering in New York City on Tuesday, as the National Hockey League and the Players Association meet in labour negotiations.

League commissioner Gary Bettman and depupty commissioner Bill Daly will be on one side of the table, with players representative Donald Fehr and his assistant Steve Fehr on the other.

After last week’s negotiations, the two sides agreed that fewer voices around the table may bring about some progress in talks.

The league has said if a deal is not reached by the time the previous contract expires on September 15, the owners will lock out the players.

Bettman concedes hockey related revenue has increased since the last contract and the average salary has jumped by $1-million over that period.

“When you get into discussions like this sometimes things can become more or less cumbersome depending on the nature of the group and what you’re talking about,” said Donald Fehr. “And, you find a way to satisfy everybody’s comfort level and go on. If you try it one way and that doesn’t really work you go try it another way.

“If that doesn’t work you try it a third way.”

The biggest issue holding up talks is finding agreement on how the league’s revenues should be split up. Players received 57 per cent under the expiring CBA and the league wants to see that number reduced considerably.

The NHL’s initial offer involved cutting the amount to 43 per cent, although it has indicated a willingness to negotiate off that number.

Based on last season’s revenues, every percentage point lost would cost the players $33 million. After capitulating in the last round of negotiations and hiring Fehr to lead them in this one, that group appears ready to fight against significant givebacks.

In fact, Fehr declared last week that “the players aren’t afraid of a lockout.”

For an agreement to be made, something will have to give.

Bettman has made it clear that he believes the owners are paying out too much money.

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