NHL Labor Negotiations Could Continue Soon

Nearly 200 NHL players are expected to be in New York next Wednesday and Thursday for player meetings. (Chris Young)

The NHL's current collective bargaining agreement expires on September 15. While the NHL and NHLPA are officially away from the negotiating table, discussions have picked up around the league as the date continues to get closer. Commissioner Gary Bettman has resoundingly stated that if a deal isn't reached, he will impose a lockout on the league.

The NHL has already suffered from a recent lockout. During the 2004-2005 season, the league canceled the entire season and playoffs, until the current deal was agreed to. Everyone involved with the NHL would prefer to retain from that occurring again. When asked about how this summer relates to the summer of 2004, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly had the following to say.

"I think its been different in a lot of respects. At least with respect to a lot of the issues that need to be discussed and worked out, we plowed a lot of ground in that area and made some progress. I think we have some tentative agreement to some things, we have teed up other issues in other areas, so from that perspective we had a good summer of negotiation."

While there has been some progress made, both sides remain fairly entrenched in their views. Daly added, "Right now it appears as though we're stalled, at least temporarily." If the season is to stay fully intact, the two sides must begin to find a compromise quickly. The first preseason game is scheduled for September 19. Regular season games are slated to begin October 11. It will be interesting to see where the heart of each side really lies and what and when something is finally decided.