NHLPA Rejects Offers, League Files Second NLRB Complaint

The National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association met for seven hours at an undisclosed location in Toronto on Monday as the NHLPA rejected two previous collective bargaining agreement proposals from the league. The Players’ Association did not present an offer of their own.

Meanwhile, a second complaint against the union was filed by the NHL with the National Labor Relations board. The league contests that the PA’s threat to decertify player agents who represent replacement players is an unfair labor practice.

In Toronto, it was a larger group than normal leading the negotiations. Players from the NHLPA’s executive committee were present alongside union executives Bob Goodenow and Ted Saskin. The league was represented by Calgary part-owner Harley Hotchkiss, Boston owner Jeremy Jacobs and New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello, as well as commissioner Gary Bettman and executive vice president Bill Daly.

After the meeting wrapped up, Daly stated “we discussed the status of our current situation and, in general terms, possible concepts for moving the process forward. The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to explore these concepts further internally, and to talk again later this week.”

No future meeting dates are planned and no offers are currently on the table.

The league has hinted that if a deal is not reached soon, replacement players will be used next season.