NHL Executives Receive Updates From Bettman

Members of the NHL’s executive committee met in New York on Monday to hear updates from Commissioner Gary Bettman on the progress of talks with the players’ association. The gathering was sandwiched between two bargaining sessions involving league and union executives. King President Tim Leiweke attended the executive committee meeting but declined to comment on what took place, citing a confidentiality order.

Negotiations to end the league-imposed lockout continued to move slowly because of differences that have arisen related to documenting the language of some concepts they’ve agreed upon. The sides must also resolve some minor issues.

However, none of the unresolved matters is believed to be serious enough to derail the process, and all signs indicate they’re close to announcing an agreement in principle and launching the process of ratifying what will be a 600-page document. The talks are scheduled to continue today.

-- Helene Elliott