NHL Talks Focus on Plans With, Without Payroll Tax

Three informal meetings between representatives of the NHL and its players’ union last week focused on two solutions to the lockout, a plan that contains a payroll tax and one that does not, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

No meeting was scheduled for today, although it’s possible the group might reconvene in Toronto. Representing the NHL at those sessions were Jeff Pash, the league’s general counsel, and Cliff Fletcher, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Attorneys Rob Riley and John McCambridge represented the NHL Players Assn.

Sources on both sides said the group made some progress, but players maintain they will reject a payroll tax because it acts as a salary cap. The plan that doesn’t include a tax instead would slow salary growth by drastically restricting the use and terms for salary arbitration.

Last week, the NHL’s Board of Governors empowered Commissioner Gary Bettman to cancel the season if the dispute is not resolved in time to play a 50-game season and full slate of best-of-seven playoff series. He did not set a deadline for a settlement, but said seven to 10 days was a “ballpark figure” for the time frame.

Glen Sather, Edmonton general manager, told the Canadian Press on Sunday he expects full-scale negotiations to resume soon.