Report: Deal by Thurs. or season is cancelled
Sidney Crosby - C - Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan. 4, 2013 - 9:30 AM ET
Commissioner Gary Bettman is ready to cancel the season for good Thursday "if a deal has not been reached or appears to be imminent," according to a board of governor member who spoke to the Winnipeg Free Press' Gary Lawless.
There is the belief from the league that NHLPA head Donald Fehr is "slowing the process one last time" to force Bettman's hand and that he won't make a deal if the commissioner nixes the entire season. Once the 2012-13 season is called off, any other negotiations will be for next campaign, with a 50-50 hockey-related revenue share no longer on the table and the owners pushing a totally new package that's likely to be rid of many concessions made up to this point. Previous reports have indicated a 48-game season would begin Jan. 19, so time is running out for a compromise.
Source: Winnipeg Free Press
advertisement