Players last week reportedly told NHLPA's Don Fehr not to pick up the phone or budge on the union’s positionGETTY IMAGES
There have been no talks between the NHL and NHLPA since the league asked the union to make financial concessions as part of return-to-play negotiations for this season, but one league exec said, "I have no doubt we’re going to have a season," according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. Garrioch: "Sooner or later, somebody will have to pick up the phone and talk turkey to get the season under way." Players during a conference call last week reportedly told NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr "not to pick up the phone or budge on the union’s position and, as a result, there’s been nothing but silence between the two sides" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 11/28). In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote if the NHL's request for relief "coupled with an implied threat to cancel the season is in violation of labor laws" in the U.S. or Canada, then the NHLPA "should file an immediate complaint to the appropriate governing bodies." If the NHL is committing an unfair labor practice, then Fehr "should immediately label it as such and seek relief of his own for the union." But if not, then it it is "up to the PA to come away with something in return for granting the owners their request." It is "up to the parties to renegotiate," because "canceling the season over this is not an option" (N.Y. POST, 11/29).
FEBRUARY START LIKELY: In Vancouver, Patrick Johnston writes Feb. 1 is a "more likely start date" than Jan. 1 for this season, and the reason "comes down to pretty basic math." Assuming the NHL is "going to give its teams two weeks to run training camp," if the league "were to actually launch Jan. 1, as they still claim they hope to do, that means starting training camp sometime around Dec. 15." Some players would have to quarantine upon "arriving in their team’s city Dec. 1." But the NHL and NHLPA remain "at odds over how to handle wages owed for a now-shortened" '20-21 season. It is "certainly possible that the league and the players’ association end their standoff in the next 48 hours, but it’s hard to fathom." The NHL "could be eyeing Jan. 15 as a new starting point, but that would then mean having players quarantine over Christmas" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 11/30). In Edmonton, Kurt Leavins writes a Feb. 1 start is "still possible, but more likely a couple weeks after that, with either a 40 or 48-game schedule." Leavins: "I don’t see any possible way they get 60+ in" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 11/30).
SHUTDOWN NOT AN OPTION? In Detroit, Ted Kulfan wrote the NHL "can't stay dormant." Too much money "would be lost, and both sides truly do want to play." The "most basic premise: Just get through this upcoming season, and get things back to normal in September 2021" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/27). In Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote playing this season has "become personal" for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, with "ownership divided on whether or not to go forward" (TORONTO SUN. 11/29).
TWITTER SPECULATION: The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun tweeted this week "looms large," after the weekend saw "ongoing contact and discussions between some NHL and NHLPA officials but no developments of note." TSN's Darren Dreger: "This week may very well produce a timeline for the start of the 20/21 NHL season. Postponing training camps until after the holidays has to be considered. CoVid is still in charge." The NHL Rumors feed: "January 1 is starting to slip ... would have to come together within the next few days." Forbes' Eric Macramalla: "Contractually, the NHL may suspend the season. The issue, however, is that may be seen as a lockout at law, which the league can't do as per the CBA. Rock and an NHL hard place." NHL Network Radio's Al Cimaglia: "Surprising no one is writing about the upcoming NHL season being in jeopardy. Maybe those covering teams would rather not face the obstacles & I get it to a degree. But the Jan.1 start-up is tail lights & there are many big issues involved."
