Negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA have seen small steps of progress in the past 48 hours in New York. The two sides have met for over 13 hours in the past two days and the one step forward sources say is that the two sides to some extent are now talking the same language for the first time in this process.
Information has been sparse but we’re being told that the players have come around to the owners stance of a 50-50 revenue split by as early as year two or three, leading to a critical next 48 hours as both sides are planning to meet through Friday. Whether enough concessions towards the players in several other areas related to a 50-50 revenue split can get the players to agree to a 50-50 split in year 1 remains to be seen as one source said “talks remain “fragile” and could blow up at any point. Talks didn’t go great on Wednesday, especially on revenue sharing we’re told, but there was still some good things to come out of it in other areas. The snag is getting the players to agree to a 50-50 split for year 1, not year 2 or 3.
Individuals I’ve spoken with indicate that Gary Bettman and Don Fehr taking a backseat over the weekend helped things as Steve Fehr and Bill Daly met extensively last weekend setting the stage for talks this week with a larger group.