Sources with a pair of NHL clubs have told THE DAILY that they have completed preparations for training camps to open late next week, in the hopes that a CBA between the NHL and NHLPA will be finalized before Commissioner Gary Bettman’s stated deadline of Jan. 11. Both teams made it clear that they have no inside information that a deal is certain to be done. One exec said it was “simply common sense” to be ready because either a season will begin around the weekend of Jan. 19-20 -- as Bettman insisted last week -- or it will be canceled.
The NHL and NHLPA resumed negotiations this afternoon, with the union presenting its counter-proposal to the league's latest offer. The meeting lasted 30 minutes and they may meet again tonight. The sides are haggling over issues such as pension, contract-term limits and the salary cap ceiling, but they are believed to be close on revenue sharing. The NHLPA also has informed the league that it would accept a 10-year term for this CBA if everything fell into place.
The union is facing a deadline of today to decide if it wants to file for a disclaimer of interest. This only figures to happen if negotiations crumble tonight.
