There is speculation that the NHL and NHLPA are “working hard on a CBA extension, with multiple sources indicating there is a legit attempt to get something done by the time play resumes,” according to Elliotte Friedman of SPORTSNET.ca. While the league “wants long-term stability,” the players “want a cap on escrow, and word is that it is being considered.” That cap could be around 20%. A “flat salary cap of $81.5 million for a few seasons” also is possible. Both NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr “will have constituents feeling very differently about these solutions,” and fans “do not want to hear about disputes right now.” But the two sides are looking “to see if there is common ground” (SPORTSNET.ca, 6/4). TSN’s Darren Dreger noted a “ton of work was done on the CBA prior to the disruption” caused by the pandemic. Dreger: “There is an NHLPA negotiating committee that’s being formed. We’re told that there could be as many as 10 players involved, could be more than 10 players” (“Insider Trading,” TSN.ca, 6/4).
