TORONTO (AP) — The stalled talks between the NHL and the players’ association finally got a jumpstart.
After watching 34 days pass without a new proposal being offered from either side in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, Commissioner Gary Bettman made a new offer to the NHLPA that proposes a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue and a full 82-game season starting Nov. 2.
As talks resumed for the first time since last week between the league and the union, Bettman proudly announced the offer, which is crafted for — if nothing else — a quick response from the head of the players’ association, Donald Fehr, followed by some serious negotiations either here or in New York.
Fehr told reporters that the proposal is for six years. Bettman did not confirm that number.
In order to pull off the logistics of the schedule, each team would have one additional game every five weeks in order to get a full season in.
All teams would also hold a makeshift training camp, lasting approximately one week. Veteran players who signed contracts overseas would need to scramble back to their team headquarters, as will the younger players who are working in the minor leagues, like the AHL, this month.