CBA rumours squashed by Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly -NHL Lockout Update
Fans were getting ready to put their hockey jerseys back on and get the latest update on when the regular season would kick off as rumours about a new collective bargaining agreement to be announced in the next couple of days spread like wildfire.
In order to calm the situation down and extinguish the fire of excitement, National Hockey League (NHL) Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly, squashed all such rumours and reiterated that they were still in the negotiation process and nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Disappointment was easily noticeable on those who had begun gearing up to finally see some hockey being played after nearly three months of a lockout, but it was for the better in the end.
It was WBZ’s Steve Burton that reported the news of the NHL preparing to announce a new CBA as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday, but Sarah Kwak of Sports Illustrated confirmed it with Daly that no such ideas had been planned out as of yet.
“I’m aware of the reports making the rounds,” Daly said. “Unfortunately, there is no truth to them.”
Tuesday had the team owners and players go face-to-face in New York City for the first time since the previous labour agreement came to an end on September 15, 2012. Owners from the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins were in attendance during the meeting, along with Bill Daly from the league’s side and Steve Fehr representing the Players’ Association.
A number of top level players like Sidney Crosby, David Backes and Jonathan Toews were present as well, along with a many others to talk from the players behalf, but details are yet to be released about their lengthy meeting, which has lasted for over five hours into the wee hours of Tuesday.
NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, is expected to talk to the media early Wednesday morning and for many, it may bring about a significant change in how things are being handled and what went about in the meeting between team owners and players.
Updates should be expected in the next 24 hours.
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