NHL AIMS TO LIMIT AMOUNT OF DEFERRED SALARY TEAMS CAN CARRY

          The NHL "wants to limit the amount of deferred salary
     teams can carry" because it is "concerned about the finances
     of some franchises," according to documents obtained by
     Bloom & Newman of BLOOMBERG NEWS.  The league's Board of
     Governors adopted a resolution in January '97 limiting teams
     to $5M in deferred salaries "that aren't backed by an
     investment."  The plan has been "suspended because of
     challenges by the players' union."  The move by the NHL
     "came because league officials worried that some franchises
     can't honor some substantial deferred contracts."  NHL
     VP/Legal Affairs Bill Daly: "To the extent the players don't
     get paid, it's a black mark for the whole league and its
     reputation."  The union, upset that the move wasn't done
     through collective bargaining, filed a grievance that was
     heard by arbitrator John Sands in Toronto.  The union has
     also filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the NLRB
     that was heard in March.  Neither complaint has been ruled
     upon.  The NHL claims the union "waived its right to
     negotiate this provision because it didn't respond to
     letters and telephone calls."  NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow
     declined comment (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 7/10).