millbank Posted February 19, 2005 Posted February 19, 2005 Looks like the deal will be done and announced Saturday, so much for NHL hockey The NHL and NHLPA will meet in New York on Saturday in an attempt to reach agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. In fact, The Hockey News is reporting that the sides have already agreed in principle to a deal that includes a $45-million salary cap, and could 'un-cancel' the season Saturday Asked if there was any way a deal won't get done, a source close to the talks told The Hockey News, "not that I can see. I couldn't possibly imagine the idea that somebody is going to try to make a name for themselves in the last minute here." The Devils Deal
Draconator Posted February 19, 2005 Posted February 19, 2005 Straight from the horses mouth, The Hockey News: http://www.thn.com/en/headlines/detail.asp...at=954945254360 Season saved Saturday? February 18, 2005 The NHL season is expected to be "un-canceled" Saturday in New York. A player close to the talks who asked to remain anonymous told The Hockey News the two sides have agreed to a deal in principle that features a $45-million salary cap. Asked if there was any way a deal won't get done, the player said, "not that I can see. I couldn't possibly imagine the idea that somebody is going to try to make a name for themselves in the last minute here." Following two days of media speculation that backroom talks between players and owners were taking place in an attempt to "un-cancel" the 2004-05 season, the NHL Players' Association issued a press release Friday night confirming it would be meeting with the league in New York on Saturday. If the two sides are as close as expected, an agreement in principle could be made public tomorrow. As first reported by The Hockey News, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are still believed to be major players in the process. Both are reported to be in New York taking part in the talks. "I believe all (that) stuff is pretty accurate," said the player. A second source confirmed Lemieux traveled to New York on Friday. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman cancelled the season Wednesday with the two sides seemingly within striking distance of a settlement. Though the components of their offers had some differences, the sides agreed on the basic premise of a salary cap with luxury taxes. The union was offering a $49-million cap and the league $42.5 million. One NHL GM told The Hockey News Bettman’s decision to cancel the season had a lot to do with history repeating itself. In other words, if NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow thought he was going to maintain his reputation of being a successful deadline hunter, he was wrong. Since the season was called off, there has been considerable movement among the players as well as agents and GMs to do whatever is necessary to get talks started again in an attempt to save the season. Detroit captain Steve Yzerman told The Hockey News Thursday afternoon he believed the season could be saved. “I don’t know if it’s necessarily tonight, tomorrow morning, Friday night or Saturday…I know the season has been cancelled, but it’s not too late to 'un-cancel' it.”
Draconator Posted February 19, 2005 Posted February 19, 2005 NHLPA Press Release: http://www.nhlpa.com/Content/Feature.asp?contentId=3430 TORONTO (February 18, 2005): Late Thursday night the NHL requested a meeting with NHLPA representatives in New York. Today the NHLPA accepted the invitation and a meeting has been scheduled for Saturday.
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