Little Progress Reported in Talks on NHL Contract

Representatives of the NHL and its players association talked throughout the weekend, but neither side would say whether progress has been made in reaching an agreement.

“We’re not even on the same page,” a source in the players’ camp said. However, the source added that both sides are willing to continue talking in hopes of avoiding a lockout that would delay or interrupt the season.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met Saturday in New York with Bob Goodenow, executive director of the players association. That followed a five-hour session Friday involving several representatives for each side. Bettman and Goodenow are tentatively scheduled to meet Tuesday in New York after Goodenow briefs players on the negotiations.

Goodenow was in Northern California on Sunday and will be in Anaheim today to meet with the Mighty Ducks and in L.A. to meet with the Kings.

Mike Gartner, president of the players association, acknowledged that the proposal his side made on Friday, which involves a 5% levy on club revenues to be disbursed to small-market clubs, probably won’t be accepted by management. While the players say the plan would produce $35 million, owners estimate the benefits at $20 million, which they said would be insufficient to help teams in smaller cities. NHL officials are expected to respond to the proposal Tuesday.

“At least there are discussions going on,” Gartner said. “We still have some philosophical differences, but we are trying to work through them.”

Owners are advocating a system that would penalize teams that exceed a payroll limit, reportedly $15 million. The money would go to teams that were under the limit.