NHL Talks Become More Amiable, but Players Stay Firm on Deadline

NHL players expressed some optimism after nearly four hours of contract talks with management Tuesday but stood fast on their March 30 strike deadline.

The tone of the meeting differed from previous sessions in that it ended amicably, with an agreement to meet today. The last time they met--March 9 in New York--the two sides took verbal shots at each other after the players broke off talks.

“We had the best discussion by far, but we have a long way to go,” said Mike Liut of the Washington Capitals. “The mood was fairly easy. But we are not looking at signals right now. We want to talk about the issues and see if we can’t hammer out a deal.”

Before the negotiations began Tuesday, Guy Carbonneau said a strike could be averted if significant progress is made before the March 30 deadline.

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

Bob Goodenow, the NHL players’ executive director, and San Jose’s Doug Wilson were asked after the negotiations if the deadline was etched in stone.

“Yes it is,” they replied.