NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Exec Dir Bob
Goodenow met yesterday for seven hours in New York, but were
unable to reach a compromise on a new Collective Bargaining
Agreement. Following the discussions, Bettman said talks would
continue today: "We're not ready to announce a deal by any
stretch of the imagination" (Bob McKenzie, TORONTO STAR, 9/21).
Bettman added: "I don't think there's a proposal that I would yet
take back to the clubs" ("Sports Tonight," CNN, 9/20). Goodenow
described the talks as "constructive," but he remained
"cautious": "Some serious philosophical differences have to be
resolved if we're going to have a deal" (David Shoalts, Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 9/21). In this morning's papers, participants and
observers share differing viewpoints on the prospect of a
lockout:
LOOKS GOOD: Shoalts writes that following yesterday's
negotiations "there was a sense of hope a new collective
agreement is not far away." He adds that many "feel there is
enough common ground for optimism" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/21). NHLPA
President Mike Gartner: "We may not be on the same page, but
we're in the same book" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/21). Sharks Operations
Dir Dean Lombardi: "Something will get done when each side has a
gun at the other's head" (Ann Killion, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS,
9/21).
LOOKS BAD: Bob McKenzie writes: "Be careful, the light at
the end of the tunnel that some may have seen ... is more likely
a train than a ray of hope." He adds, "If anybody thinks the nut
has been cracked on this baby, it's not even close" (TORONTO
STAR, 9/21). One NHL official close to the talks: "The season
won't start on the first of October -- that you can put money on"
(Dave Fay, WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/21). Al Strachan writes, "Don't
be misled. There is still much talking to do" (TORONTO SUN,
9/21).
AND FINALLY ... In Canada's FINANCIAL POST, Jamie Wayne
writes, "The NHL has about as much chance of shutting down next
month as Bruce McNall does of becoming a financial consultant for
the Bank of America" (FINANCIAL POST, 9/20).
