Canadiens’ Carbonneau Holds Hope That Progress in Talks Can Avert Strike

Significant progess in deadlocked NHL contract talks could be enough to avert a strike next week, Montreal Canadiens player representative Guy Carbonneau said Tuesday.

“We can still play the games,” Carbonneau told the Montreal Gazette. “If there is progress, there won’t be a strike.”

Barring a break in the stalemate with owners, a strike would begin Monday, he said, explaining that a walkout would have precede the playoffs to protect the players. The regular season ends April 5, four days before the playoffs are to begin.

Carbonneau’s comments--the first indicating the strike date may be flexible--came as union and league officials sat down Tuesday in a Toronto hotel to try to work out a new agreement. NHL President John Ziegler and union chief Bob Goodenow began negotiations aimed at averting the first strike in the 75-year history of the league.

A member of the league’s negotiating team expects the worst.

“I think the players will go on strike,” said David Poile, general manager of the Washington Capitals. “They don’t believe what we’ve been telling them for six months, so they have to back it up by going on strike.”