NHL closer than ever
Daily News Flyers blog
NHL closer than ever
NEW YORK -- Optimism is flowing here at the Westin Times Square, where it appears that traction has finally been made in this maddening 81-day NHL lockout.
We do not know what went on in those closed-door meetings today between 18 players and 6 owners. Neither side was available for questions afterward, clearly not wanting to trample on any progress that had been made.
“It may be the best day we’ve had so far,” NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr said.
“I appreciate the efforts of the players in particular in there today,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
Yes, we don’t know the discussion, how it went and who led it. But we do have some facts. Consider the following:
- When Daly and Steve Fehr addressed the media, they did so standing side-by-side for the first time during this process. They did not take questions. Neither did the players.
- The two sides met for more than 8 hours, beginning at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and extending to just before midnight, with a dinner break spliced in between to update the brass who was not in on the negotiations. The two sides also exited frequently to update the brass on proceedings.
- Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr did not participate in negotiations.
- Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux was also present at the Westin, where the meetings were spearheaded by Sidney Crosby and co-owner Ron Burkle.
- The two sides will reconvene meeting on Wednesday morning before the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting. It is believed they will use the same format as Tuesday. It is also believed that they will either take a break in the meetings for Bettman to attend the Board of Governors meeting or that Bettman will break himself to run the meeting.
My gut on the situation?
These two sides are closer than ever. This is undoubtedly the most positive feeling - in terms of hope and optimism - that I’ve gotten during this process. Nonetheless, it is still a tenuous situation.
Walking out of the Westin early Wednesday morning, there were whispers that a tentative deal could be brokered as soon as this afternoon. No off-the-record sources were willing to confirm, but none also denied the possibility. For now, everyone is interested in keeping their mouths shut.
Why? At this very moment, the entire NHL season is teetering on the edge. Both sides are making a serious push to try and get a deal done. Should this push fizzle or fall through, both sides are likely to throw their hands up in the air - and the season could be wiped before their elbows hit the bargaining table again.
For now, hope is in the air. Buckle your seatbelt. It's time.
(By the way, the current setup would seem to suggest a 56-game, inter-conference schedule, which could begin as soon as Dec. 15. Rogers Sportsnet's Doug MacLean reported the 56-game idea.)
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
let's just cancel the season so the VS network can make more money showing beef jerky making reality shows— your_mom_says_hi!- I'll know there is a settlement when I get a bill from Dish Network for NHL Center Ice.— backhand
- Hope the season is cancelled— Dutch10
- If they do settle what does this say of Bettman and Fehr's actions thus far?— meteo30
- The biggest positive thing that happened is that jerk Donald Fehr is not in the meetings!— vietnamvet
- Pens still suck, though.— venus4
- Not so sure I can stomach any more praise being piled on Cindy Crybaby if this thing gets done. Other media are already lauding him as the man that saved hockey. Yecccch!— schnitzelboy
- Nothing like a high octane shortened hockey season. I say hold out for a little longer and lets get 42 games in.— PhillySportsAddict1969
- who cares.....Ed has a smile on his face....and other than the 19000 stepfords we are happy that "fighting on ice" has been cancelled....there is more skating at the Ice Capades than in a macho sparing hockey ??? scrum...— nuggett
- Even when there isn't a season I have nothing better to do than spew garbage on Flyers fans!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- If they do settle, then Bettman and Fehr should be fired by their respective parties the day they sign the new CBA. I hope this signals the end to the lockout, but it will show that Fehr and Bettman could care less about the 'good' of the game, and just wanted to get another win under the belt, while the owners/players really do care about the long-term of this league. We'll just have to see what happens.— co
- “It may be the best day we’ve had so far,” NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr said.
Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr did not participate in negotiations.
Those two sentences from the article tell you everything you need to know.— AreaMan - I couldn't have said it better myself! F-Bettman...he should be canned if this situation plays out to an end to the lockout. — uncle meat
I'll believe it when I see it.- hope so, cant stand basketball, football is a joke soccer is for fags lets go flyers!— bigtom blew3
