NHL players union submits counterproposal
The NHL's players union made a counteroffer to the league during a meeting Monday in New York City, but there was no end to the labor dispute that has produced a 108-day lockout.
The NHL's players union made a counteroffer to the league during a meeting Monday in New York City, but there was no end to the labor dispute that has produced a 108-day lockout.
The NHL said that it was reviewing the players' proposal and that the sides were expected to meet again Tuesday, which was supposed to be the day the Winter Classic was played at Michigan Stadium.
The lockout has caused the cancellation of all games through Jan. 14.
Donald Fehr, executive director of the players' union, refused to speculate on whether the sides were closer to an agreement than they were before Monday's meeting.
The players' counteroffer was much shorter than the 288 pages of documents presented by the league Thursday. The NHL said that offer was contingent on having a collective bargaining agreement in place by Jan. 11 and the season starting Jan. 19.
Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, told reporters the league would study the union's response Monday night and "our expectation is that we'll contact them" on Tuesday.
"We made a comprehensive proposal. . . . They've come back with a comprehensive response," Bettman said. "We need time to analyze it."
The NHL made some concessions in its proposal, but the union apparently has challenged the league's $60 million salary cap for 2013-14. Reportedly, the union wants it set at $67.5 million for that season. (It will be at $70.2 million in 2012-13, but it will be prorated over 48 games.)
The Flyers' cap payroll is at about $57.5 million for 2013-14 - and that's for just 16 players. Teams have 22 or 23 players on their roster.
Fehr also is believed to have argued that escrow payments should be capped, and that the amnesty buyouts - the league proposed that each team is allowed one before the 2013-14 season - should not count against the players' 50/50 share of hockey-related revenue.
Flyers prospect ejected. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, a Flyers draftee from Union (N.Y.) College, received a five-minute major for slashing and a game misconduct in the first period of Team USA's 9-3 win over Slovakia in the World Junior tournament in Russia. He could be suspended for Wednesday's game against the Czech Republic.
Johnny Gaudreau, who played for three seasons at Gloucester Catholic, had two goals for the Americans.
Brennan honored. T.J. Brennan, a Moorestown native playing in the Buffalo Sabres' system, was named the AHL's player of the week after collecting a total of six points in three games for Rochester. Entering Monday, Brennan, 23, a second-round draft selection in 2009, was second among AHL defensemen in goals (12) and points (29) this season.