Hockey News - NHL and NHLPA to meet next week in Toronto



It looks as if there could be an NHL season afterall. Though that is not for certain, the NHL and NHLPA are at least trying to make that happen.

The NHL accepted an invitation from NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow to meet next week in Toronto to discuss a new CBA and a salary cap, among other things. The union's last proposal to the NHLPA was nearly 3 months ago, on September 9th, included provisions for a luxury tax, similar to what Major League Baseball is using. The invitiation comes just days after commissioner Bettman met in Edmonton and Calgary with to meet with the clubs' staff and season ticket holders to not only discuss the labour dispute, but the future of the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, who are smaller-market clubs. Bettman also stated that he doesn't mind being used as the "whipping boy", after an NHLPA senior director said that Bettman was the "wrong man for the league". Bettman has been apart of both lockouts now, including 1994's lockout, which is not a great honor to be holding. The NHL will never be profitable if Bettman and his brass learn how to market the game in other places than Canada.

Next week's meeting, which will be held over lunch, has brought a lot more optimism to not only the Players Union, but the fans most importantly. The NHL and its players have been locked out since September 15th, with players going to the AHL and overseas to play in Europe.

With the potential this meeting has, we could be watching hockey by mid-December, as the last NHL financial mess was not fixed until December 15th, with the season starting 5 days later on the 20th. Hockey fans -- you're biggest present may be coming right in time for Christmas.




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