The CANADIAN PRESS reports that NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman phoned NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow yesterday, "seeking to
resume negotiations." But Goodenow was in FL visiting players
from the Panthers and Lightning, "and a member of the [NHLPA]
staff took a message." Goodenow hadn't returned the call as of
6pm EDT last night (Alan Adams, CP/VANCOUVER SUN, 10/21). NHL VP
& General Counsel Jeffrey Pash acknowledged that the league will
not be able to save its 84-game schedule and promised that an
announcement will be made on the reduction of the schedule
"before too long" (AP/CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/21).
BURKE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA: NHL Senior VP & Dir of Hockey
Ops took his tour of NHL cities to Boston, where he was described
by Joe Gordon as "one part Billy Graham, one part Elmer Gantry,
and one part Music Man. ... Lord knows, there's trouble right
here in River City, and it starts with M, and that stands for
Money." Burke: "I'm here to preach the truth" (BOSTON HERALD,
10/21).
NOT TO BE OUTDONE: Goodenow met with players from both FL
teams yesterday. Goodenow: "We don't have any new proposals on
the table, and I'm not meeting with every team. But, if someone
or some team has questions, I'm happy to meet with them and
clarify things" (Tom Jones, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/21). On their way
out, Panther players "stopped to shake hands with Goodenow and
give him a few words of support" (David Neal, MIAMI HERALD,
10/21).
TICKET REFUND PLANS: Several teams joined the Mighty Ducks,
Sharks and Kings in announcing their ticket-refund plans for lost
games. Capitals season-ticket holders were offered a choice
between: 1) a 6% interest payment on canceled games as an
incentive not to seek a refund; 2) "Caps Dollars" equal to 10% of
the total value of games actually canceled, which can be redeemed
for future game tickets, at USAir Arena concession stands during
Capitals games, or for Capitals merchandise at team outlets; and,
3) exchanging the tickets for any other game during '94-95
(Cpaitals). Capitals Dir of Marketing Lew Strudler: "We've
tried to be creative" (Dave Fay, WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/21).
Strudler also announced the team actually sold six season tickets
yesterday (Len Hochberg, WASHINGTON POST, 10/21). The Canucks
are offering 7% interest (Vancouver PROVINCE, 10/21). The
Senators are offering 5% (CP, 10/21).
PRESSURE? Larry Wigge reports that "at least two powerful
player agents" said they "scolded" Goodenow for not accepting one
of the three owners' proposals that guaranteed "no scaleback" in
salaries (SPORTING NEWS, 10/24 issue).
HARD TIMES IN THE LAND OF PLENTY: CNBC's Sue Herera: "Don
McSween from the Anaheim Ducks has filed an unemployment claim,
becoming the first NHL player to take advantage of a California
law giving benefits to lockout employees" ("Market Wrap," CNBC,
10/20).
