NHL, Players Plan Another Meeting

NHL executives have asked for another meeting with the players’ union, keeping a faint pulse of hope that a deal can be reached to end the 131-day lockout.

The meeting is expected to be Wednesday in Toronto, although neither side would confirm the date or the site. The meeting will include three representatives from each side, excluding NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players’ Assn. Executive Director Bob Goodenow.

The NHL reportedly has a new offer, but neither the league nor the union would comment on the substance of the talks.

“My sense is, with what’s going on now, is both sides will go underground for a while,” said Don Baizley, a player agent. “My view is that this is a good thing, frankly.

“Let’s have another run at it and see if there is some compromise that will satisfy both sides. I’m hoping Bill Daly’s comments have left some crack in the door.”

Daly, the NHL’s chief legal officer, said Friday, “I believe we’re a lot closer to the same philosophies than they are portraying now.”

Some players don’t seem as optimistic.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Ducks’ co-player representative, said he was close to signing a deal with a team in Hamburg, Germany.

Asked whether the upcoming meeting affected his decision, Giguere said: “My hope level is pretty low. I don’t think anything will come of [the meeting]. I think the owners want break the union and implement a salary cap. As long as they want to do that, there is not going to be a deal.”

Most players believe that a new collective bargaining agreement must be hammered out this week in order for the NHL to have a meaningful season. But after two days of negotiations ended last Thursday with seemingly little progress, Vancouver’s Trevor Linden, the NHLPA president, reportedly told players to be prepared for the lockout to go into next season.

Some players are seeking deals overseas before European teams must freeze their rosters at the end of January. Like Giguere, the Ducks’ Steve Rucchin has a deal in place -- his with a team in Italy.

Daly, Harley Hotchkiss, chairman of the board of governors, and outside counsel Bob Batterman will represent the league at the next meeting.

The union will send Linden, Ted Saskin, its senior director, and outside counsel John McCambridge.