Despite new league proposal, NHL deal before Sept 15 looking unlikely

The discussions continue in New York between the NHL and the players’ association, with the two sides seemingly still quite far apart.

Despite the league coming in with a new proposal, hopes of both sides coming to a deal before September 15 appear slim.

The NHLPA could have a counter proposal for the owners Thursday, but it may not be enough to sway the owners.

Sportsnet’s Michael Grange is in New York covering the talks, and tells us there is some positive news.

“They’ve really reached that stage in negotiations where they’re talking the same language, using the same framework, arguing about pots of money, but not arguing about is the pot of money green or is it blue,” Grange said.

Players like Flames’ centre Mike Cammalleri are already thinking about what they’ll do if the season doesn’t happen.

“If we’re not going to play in the NHL this year, I’m going to try and play somewhere else, we’re getting antsy we’ve been training for a while here we’re ready to go,” Cammalleri said.

The Player’s Association has taken issue with the league’s latest offer which includes a reduction in the players’ share of revenue, to a tune of 46 per cent instead of the current 57 per cent.

The union says that means the proposal wouldn’t see current contracts paid out in full.

The league plans to lock out its players if a new deal isn’t reached in just over two weeks, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

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