Commissioner Gary Bettman hopeful of CBA talks to begin soon -NHL Update
It is that time again when the players and National Hockey League (NHL) prepare to go into intense talks over a new or renewing the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), of which commissioner Gary Bettman is hopeful of beginning soon.
The commissioner, in his “State of the League” 25-minute news conference before Game 1 of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals was to kick off between Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils, talked about the CBA and how the players’ association should be getting
in touch soon.
For Gary Bettman, the best case scenario would be that players and general managers around the league agree on mutual interests and decide to keep things running smoothly. The worst case scenario would ultimately be a repeat of the locked out 2004-2005 regular
season.
"Time will tell how this all sorts out," Bettman said. "I am hopeful this all sorts out easily because labour peace is preferable to the alternative."
The first CBA in NHL history was signed back in September 15 of 2005, which brought on a salary cap for the very first time along with a number of other revolutionary agreements to keep things running smoothly.
That agreement will be expiring on September 15 of this year and could create trouble for the league if not extended or refreshed.
NHL Players’ Association executive director, Donald Fehr, also put forth his views and shared his optimism for a new deal between the two stakeholders.
"I have some ideas about how it's going to go, but I have learned that making predictions in this business is a bit of a foolish enterprise," said Fehr, who was side-by-side to Gary Bettman during the news conference. "Too many things can happen that can
cause you to change course."
When asked whether there could be any delay in the upcoming 2012-2013 regular season, Fehr was confident that they would not have to go through anything like that again.
"That's the goal," Fehr said. "Hopefully, it is a goal that everyone shares."
Gary Bettman also mentioned a number of important things in his address including the Phoenix Coyotes ownership issue and the financial troubles being faced by New Jersey Devils.
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