Hockey Talks Resume After Long Silence

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s warning to the players’ association that time is running out has spurred negotiators to resume talks today, ending a two-week lull.

Representatives of the league and the players’ association arranged to meet at an undisclosed site, believed to be Detroit or Toronto. The session will involve small delegations.

Bettman told the union in a memo Thursday that the season would have to start by Jan. 16 in order to schedule 50 games and a full slate of playoffs. To accomplish that, an agreement would have to be reached by Jan. 8. Earlier this month, the NHL’s Board of Governors authorized Bettman to cancel the season if he determines that 50 or more regular-season games and full playoffs can’t be completed by July 1.

Bettman’s memo did not say he would cancel the season if a deal is not in place on Jan. 16, but the implied threat apparently was enough to revive the talks.