NEWS: There's a CBA deal

Sunday, 06 January 2013 06:21

Written by Dave Molinari

The National Hockey League’s lockout is over.

Almost.

The players and owners reached a tentative deal on the framework a 10-year collective bargaining agreement this morning after a marathon negotiating session, but it still must be ratified by both sides.

It that happens, there will be a season of between 48 and 50 games.

Training camps should open within days and play will begin no later than Jan. 19, probably sooner.

Commissioner Gary Bettman told a press conference in New York, where the deal was struck, that details on the preseason and games could be finalized and released later today.

He also noted that the CBA has not been finalized.

"We’ve got to dot a lot of Is and cross a lot of Ts,” Bettman said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

On some of the major points of contention, the salary-cap ceiling for 2013-14 will be $64.3 million and contracts will be limited to seven years (eight for teams re-signing a player).