NHL labor talks resume for 1st time in eight days
NEW YORK – For the first time in eight days, the NHL and the players’ association met at the league office for a little less than two hours before finishing for the night in an attempt to reach a deal to end the two-month old lockout.
Talks resumed Monday, the 65th day of the lockout that has already wiped out 327 games and threatens the entire season if a settlement isn’t reached soon.
After turning down a suggestion from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to take a two-week break from negotiations, the union requested another meeting with the league that was scheduled Saturday.
It was the first bargaining session between the sides since Nov. 11, when a busy week of negotiating wrapped up with a session that lasted just over an hour and didn’t produce any results.
All games through Nov. 30 and the New Year’s Day Winter Classic have been called off. Another round of cancellations is expected this week if a new deal isn’t reached.