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United we stand

Friday, August 31, 2007

The NHL Board of Governors met in New York Tuesday. Players met with the NHLPA in Toronto as well. The message from both was that there is unity in the ranks.

"We had 30 owners who were in absolute unanimity in terms of where we're going to go from here," Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told the Canadian Press "A plan in being developed."

No word on what plan was formulated during the meeting, which lasted about five hours and was attended by more than 100 owners, executives and general managers.

"I've never seen 30 owners so together," Los Angeles Kings president Tim Lieweke told the CP. "We stand solidly behind our commissioner."

The owners indicated they are united in their effort to play hockey next season, but didn't mention the prospect of replacement players.

"I think that we can move forward and plan to play a season however it happens this coming year," Edmonton Oilers chair Cal Nichols told the CP. "I think that in itself is what our fans want to see, so we'll just see how it works out in the summer.

"I think everybody still has a preference to work with the union and try to negotiate something and hopefully that's where it takes us."

The players came out of their three-hour meeting in Toronto preaching unity as well. More than 150 players attended and shot down suggestions that there was major dissension among NHLPA members. 

"The so-called splinter faction in the union that is going a different direction has been drummed up by a lot of media members and people hoping a deal gets done," St. Louis defenseman Chris Pronger told the Associated Press. "I can unequivocally say everyone is on board and understands the issues better."

Players offered support of the NHLPA's leadership as well.

"[NHLPA president] Trevor Linden  and Bob [Goodenow, NHLPA executive director] are going to get us a deal - a fair deal," Calgary's Jarome Iginla told the CP. "Whatever that fair deal is, that's their decision. We believe in them."

As for what the future may hold, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said priority one is to try to negotiate a deal with the NHLPA.

"We're going to invite the union back to the table soon and I assume that they will discharge their legal obligation to bargain in good faith," Bettman told the CP. ''The more the damage, the less money we're going to have to ultimately pay in players' salaries,'' he added. ''So I think it's in everybody's interest to move forward as expeditiously as possible."

Linden, however,  suggested it might not be wise to dive back into negotiations right away. At least not the way the two sides had been approaching talks previously.

"It's important for both sides to take a little time to reassess," Linden told the CP. "Obviously the process at this point hasn't worked and we'll step back and have a look back at how we can move this thing forward.

"To get right back at it and start firing proposals, I'm not sure is the right way to do it. To reflect, to decide which way to go, I think is important. At the appropriate time, you know, there'll be discussion and we'll get back to it."