The NHL and NHLPA have a little less than two weeks to figure out a deal. The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on September 15th. According to the article, the sides are not close to deal. The possibility of a lockout is greater with each passing day. Little progress has been made regarding any of the major issues between the two parties. The league, among other things, wants the players to take a reduction in their share of revenue from 56 percent to 46. Some of the quotes from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in the article do not give one hope that the league will avoid another work stoppage. Of course, most of the rhetoric is the two sides posturing.
While the possibility of losing an entire season seems small at this point, can the NHL afford another prolonged work stoppage? Stay tuned.
