The NHL and the Players' Association are about to resume bargaining, inspiring hope that the lockout may finally come to an end.
The New York Times reports that the two sides met on Sunday, Dec. 30 to discuss the league's latest proposal, which the union received the Thursday prior. After conference calls on Saturday and the in-pesron meeting on Sunday, the two sides are expected to reopen bargaining sessions beginning on New Year's Eve.
This is certainly progress compared to the state of things on Dec. 13. That was the last time the players and owners formally negotiated, only for the two sides to leave the table with irreconcilable differences.
Before the league submitted its latest offer, there was no timetable for the league and the union to meet again. That's a reason for optimism.
Then again, let's be realistic here. The two sides are talking again, but what, if any, substantial gains were made?
"The weekend talks did not involve player representatives or owners," The Times reported. "Later Sunday, the union held internal meetings and was believed to be preparing a counteroffer."
There is both go ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Josh Cohen
Are Latest NHL Lockout Developments Reason for Hope or More Despair?
December 31st, 2012 by Josh Cohen Leave a reply »
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