Where things stand

Saturday, 10 November 2012 07:03

Written by Shelly Anderson

After four days in a row of talks that included actual give-and-take negotiations, things are quiet this morning. Further talks are a phone call away, but we'll see when and if that happens.

According to various reports, particularly one by Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, things got a bit contentious later in the day Friday.

As in, perhaps someone needs a binky.

The NHL apparently was not happy with some of the content of the internal memo sent by NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr to the players on Thursday night. The league might have thought Fehr left out or misrepresented the NHL's offer(s), a charge that carries with it the idea that Fehr has his own agenda or isn't truly working off of the players' wishes.

We find that hard to believe. The players, from months before the lockout and right through to now, have consistently praised Fehr for his communication skills. Every player we have talked to or read quotes from have said they get feel completely informed and are welcome to attend any meeting with the NHL.

There is no question that there is friction between the sides, perhaps specifically between Fehr and commissioner Gary Bettman along with at least some owners. But everyone knew coming in that Fehr is a tough negotiator. Getting angry because he won't roll over, or allegedly making accusations to try to drive a wedge between Fehr and the players he works for seems rather petty and ineffective -- and certainly not constructive.

Bettman left things this way: He is waiting to hear from the union on further meetings and said he would do "whatever it takes" to seek a resolution that would lead to a new collective bargaining agreement and an end to the lockout. That includes Bettman staying in New York and skipping the annual Hall of Fame induction and ceremonies Monday in Toronto.

We applaud Bettman for being open to resume talks. The NHLPA planned to have internal discussions or conference calls. Talks could resume as soon as later today, or this break could last for a while.

The key issues remain the same: revenue sharing and the value of current player contracts at the top of the list, followed by player contractual rights, player pensions and a long list of lesser topics.

It seems to us that for the season to start around Dec. 1 and still get in 60 or so games, there will have to be some real progress in the next week to 10 days. The sides seem to have come around to the notion that there will be some sort of 50-50 split of revenues, but there is a lot of gray area. That probably means that one side will have to blink first and agree to negotiate off of the other's offer(s).