The NHL and NHLPA are again meeting today following a promising seven hour session last night that saw little comment from either side on progress. The meetings followed a reported concession by the owners on a “make whole” provision that would pay the players their current contracts outside of any 50-50 split, and follow-up conversations between Bill Daly and Steven Fehr over the weekend.
There’s little of substance to report on, but the absence of rhetoric from either side is spurring many to feel that there is a legitimate conversation finally going on. Still the key topic of how the “make whole” proposal would work is up for discussion today, and that could prove to still be a major stumbling block.
Among the few comments posted so far from the media (in reverse time order):
With Make Whole provision on the agenda for discussion today, we'll have a better read whether these talks have real legs or not …
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 7, 2012
Appears as if initial reads off yesterdays meeting-mine included-were off. Little, if anything, achieved. PA holding firm on contract issues
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) November 7, 2012
Source tells me on negotiations: "It's going well and having some very positive conversations and exchanges". #CBA
— Louis Jean (@LouisJeanSports) November 7, 2012
With CBA talks resuming tomorrow, the NHL "will not characterize the substance or detail of the discussions."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 7, 2012