Hockey

NHL offer rejected; Bettman, union chief to meet

The commissioner and union head Bob Goodenow join the talks as a shutdown date looms.

By TOM JONES
Published February 3, 2005

The end for the National Hockey League is near.

The question is, will it be the end of the lockout or the end of the season?

The union rejected an offer made Wednesday by the NHL, then set up what could be a final showdown today with commissioner Gary Bettman. For the first time since Dec. 14, Bettman will sit across the negotiating table from union chief Bob Goodenow at an undisclosed location in New York.

But prospects for a settlement look dim after the union shot down the league's latest proposal, which included a salary cap.

"The league presented a written proposal with minor variations of concepts that were presented orally by the NHL last Thursday," NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin said. "We told the league last week and again (Wednesday) that their multilayered salary cap proposals were not the basis for an agreement."

The sides met for four hours Wednesday in Newark, N.J., where the league presented the detailed formal proposal that included:

A six-year deal (not including this season) that the players could reopen after four years.

A team payroll range in which teams would have to spend at least $32-million, but no more than $42-million. However, players could receive no more than 55 percent and no less than 53 percent of the league's revenues.

Players could become unrestricted free agents at age 30, one year younger than under the old agreement.

There also would be changes to restricted free agency, entry-level contracts, salary arbitration, minimum salaries and the unprecedented idea of sharing profits with the players.

But Saskin threw cold water on the proposal by saying it wasn't much different than the one the union rejected in December.

Despite the union's rejection, NHL chief legal counsel Bill Daly sounded somewhat optimistic. He said he was encouraged that the union asked for another meeting and thought the league's proposal addressed many of the union's concerns.

However, when Saskin was asked if Wednesday's meeting caused any optimism, he said, "Unfortunately not." But he added that hope remained because the sides continue to talk.

"With the principals back at the table (today), we remain hopeful that some progress can be made," Lightning president Ron Campbell said. "The proposal that we all read encourages everyone involved in the game to grow to the sport, which is a goal we need to strive for."

The crux of the proposal, though, and the reason the union rejected it was a hard salary cap.

"As of now, that's just not a basis for an agreement," Lightning player representative Tim Taylor said. "I'm lost as to what will happen next. I really don't know."

Today's meeting sets up a few possible scenarios.

The sides could meet, realize there is no common ground and the league could decide to set a drop-dead date or cancel the season. However, Daly doubted such an announcement would come.

"We intend to keep working on this until a resolution is reached," Daly said.

The union could make a counter-proposal that would or would not be based on the league's offer. That appears unlikely for now.

The sides could continue to talk, searching for common ground. Saskin indicated this would be the agenda for today's meeting.

Whatever happens, it's clear time is of the essence. It's doubtful a season could be saved if the lockout continues much longer. Perhaps that's why Bettman and Goodenow will join the talks for the first time since mid December.

"We all know we're right down to the end here," Daly said, "and Bob and Gary need to be in the room to do the deal that needs to be done. I think it will be positive that they will be in the room."

[Last modified February 3, 2005, 01:08:13]