Team Owners, Players meet on Tuesday as Optimism grows for Hockey Season -NHL Lockout Update
Optimism is definitely high at the moment as for the first time ever since the National Hockey League (NHL) was officially locked out on September 15th, 2012, team owners and players sat down face-to-face to discuss the issues faced by the league
and Players’ Association.
It has been nearly three months now since the lockout came into effect and has resulted in some major cancellations, such as the entire preseason, a major chunk of the regular season and the 2013 NHL Winter Classic and All-Star Game.
For the very first time, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and executive director of the labour union, Donald Fehr, were both not present at the meetings of the real stakeholders in order to ensure a more comfortable environment for each side. But representatives
of both sides did show up as NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA special counsel, Steve Fehr, made it to the scene in New York City.
Two sessions took place between the sides as the initial setup lasted for five hours, followed by a dinner break and continued after that. According to ESPN.com, both sides were still meeting when they last checked at around 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and could
extend late into the night.
After weeks of failed negotiations between the league and Players’ Negotiations, it was Commissioner Bettman who suggested the idea of having both stakeholders meet alone and attempt at clearing the issues. It is believed that this is somewhat of a last
resort move as the Players’ Association has made it clear that any more failed attempts would force them to take this matter into court.
Six team owners were present at the meeting. Ron Burkle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jeff Vinik, Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Chipman, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Larry Tanenbaum, along with Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Jacobs and Calgary Flames’ Murray Edwards.
Representing the labour side was superstar Sidney Crosby, Kevin Westgarth, George Parros, Ron Hainsey, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Ryan Miller, Shane Doan, David Backes and Jonathan Toews.
Gary Bettman is expected to brief the media on Wednesday morning, which will bring about the details about the meeting for all to hear.
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