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TORONTO - Labor talks between the NHL and the players' union resume today, the first meeting between the sides since July 21.
The collective bargaining agreement, twice extended in the past 10 years, expires Sept. 15, the day after the World Cup championship game in Toronto.
Two weeks ago in New York, the parties met for four hours and the league submitted outlines of six concepts concerning cost certainty. The union disapproved.
"Each one of them begins and ends with a salary cap, and that doesn't provide any basis for any progress," said Ted Saskin, the union's senior director.
BRUINS: Boston will pay defenseman Sergei Gonchar $5.5-million next season, a 51 percent raise that was ordered by an arbitrator and accepted by the team on Tuesday. Gonchar, 30, was sent by Washington to Boston near the March trade deadline. His salary arbitration hearing Sunday was the first of the offseason. Also, the team said left wing Andy Hilbert has signed his one-year qualifying offer.
BLUE JACKETS: If the season is delayed by a work stoppage, Rick Nash will join Boston's Joe Thornton with HC Davos in the Swiss league. Nash, 20, scored 41 goals last season, tying Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk for the league lead.
COYOTES: Center Krystofer Kolanos signed a one-year deal that includes a club option.
FLAMES: Denis Gauthier and the team agreed on a contract before the defenseman's salary arbitration hearing. Terms were not released; Gauthier made $1.3-million last season.
ISLANDERS: Calder Trophy finalist Trent Hunter, 24, signed a one-year deal.
PREDATORS: Forward Steve Sullivan, who split last season between Chicago and Nashville, signed.
SHARKS: Coach Ron Wilson re-signed to a multiyear contract after leading the team to the West final last season. ... Right wing Niko Dimitrakos, backup goalie Vesa Toskala, enforcer Scott Parker and center Matt Carkner re-signed.
STARS: Veteran forward Stu Barnes signed a two-year contract extension through 2006-07.