NHL CBA Negotiations Likely To Resume Soon

The NHL and the NHLPA are working up against a Collective Bargaining Agreement that is set to expire on Sept. 15, and both sides have expressed an interested in resuming negotiations in the near future. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly noted that the league has felt "a sense of urgency all summer" but the lack of progress in reaching a new deal to avoid a lockout has created a push to redouble efforts.

NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr told the AP that he stopped drawing salary on July 1 as a measure of solidarity shown to the players he represents, but that doesn't mean a resolution is primed to come any sooner. In fact, the two sides are still far from an agreement. A memo from the Players Association was sent out preparing players for a lockout, and NHL teams have made acknowledgements that a lockout is likely.

Even so, there can be no agreement if the two sides fail to me. It is good news that negotiations will likely resume in the near future.

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