Globe and Mail hockey writers James Mirtle and Eric Duhatschek will join me, globesports.com editor Darren Yourk, here live Wednesday at 2 p.m. to take your questions on the NHL labour negotiations and what lies ahead if the players are officially locked out by owners on Saturday.
by Darren Yourk 9/11/2012 6:01:17 PM
We will get going in just a minute here.
by Darren Yourk 9/12/2012 5:59:07 PM
Ready to take your questions and comments.
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:01:31 PM
Current situation is NHL and NHLPA are locked in meeting in New York. It started at 11:30 and the union was expected to make a new proposal
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:02:20 PM
James, let's start here. Any feel for what was discussed yesterday on the NHLPA call?
by Darren Yourk 9/12/2012 6:02:39 PM
@Darren Yourk Just preparing for the discussions today and how to change their proposal. The union feels very strongly that it's offers have been legitimate and meaningful
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:04:15 PM
@DAnconia You might have to explain that a bit better - but Fehr obviously has plenty of experience leading a union of millionaires in these things
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:05:00 PM
Let's turn it over to the readers.
by Darren Yourk 9/12/2012 6:05:06 PM
@DAnconia If you're asking about player buy-in - look at how many went to New York for today's meetings. Nearly 300. With a membership of about 700 regular players, that's incredible
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:05:32 PM
I'm told the PA has made a revised proposal and the league has left the room to discuss it. Players waiting for response.
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:06:52 PM
@Tinthe303 Without knowing the specifics of what the PA offered, hard to say. But contrary to some of the coverage, I don't think Fehr wants to waste time here. The players gave him a mandate to try and get a fair deal. They're working on that. Despite all the doom and gloom, there is still a chance they can get things finished on time for an Oct. 11 start
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:08:14 PM
@Tinthe303 It would take a huge shift from either side to make anything happen today.
by Darren Yourk 9/12/2012 6:09:06 PM
@R.Carriere The Leafs, Flames and Bruins owners or governors have been in on the CBA talks, so they have influence that way. And you're right - the money making teams stand to lose the most by missing games. The last CBA, however, made these teams very wealthy. Look at the Leafs or Habs - they have capped payroll costs of around $65-million. Imagine what they would be spending without a salary cap? $100-million? $130-million?
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:11:55 PM
@R.Carriere Now any new deal isn't going to benefit them to that degree. Revenue sharing is going to be increased. But my sense is that some of these big revenue teams really do want the season to start on time. They're not necessarily "driving the bus" on these talks.
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:12:35 PM
@speeds Have heard zero talk on that front to be honest.
by James Mirtle 9/12/2012 6:13:57 PM