Nhl, Collective Bargaining Agreement | featured news

NHL owners have ratified the tentative labor deal. All that now remains is player approval to finally start the hockey season.

The National Hockey League and NHL Players' Assn. reached tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement early Sunday morning, opening the way for training camps to open later this week after both sides put on paper and ratify the terms of the complex agreement.

On the ice, the National Hockey League has never been more competitive than over the course of its last collective bargaining agreement, which began with the 2005-06 season. A different team has won the Stanley Cup each season, ranging from big-market clubs like Los Angeles and Chicago to small ones such as Pittsburgh and Raleigh. A total of 12 different teams reached the finals during the seven-year CBA.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before — following another round of failed CBA negotiations, the NHL has canceled a slate of games and a marquee league event. This time, it’s all contests from Dec. 1-14 and the 2013 All-Star Game, which was to be played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Jan. 27.

The NHL and NHLPA are scheduled to meet in New York Friday to discuss non-core economic issues marking the first time the two sides will hold a formal bargaining session since Sept. 12. With no indication that a new collective bargaining agreement is imminent, though, the NHL has canceled all remaining preseason games.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the owners have voted to
approve a lockout Thursday if a new collective bargaining agreement
is not reached before Saturday's midnight deadline, according to
the Toronto Sun.