Posted on 12/09/2004 12:53:35 PM PST by SmithL
Vincent Damphousse interrupted his holiday shopping to talk about the players' new proposal to owners today in hopes of ending the NHL work stoppage.
"We feel really good about what we're going to offer,'' Damphousse said.
A similar response from the league would be the best gift Damphousse could hope to receive.
But because the offer won't address what ownership wants -- cost certainties in the form of a salary cap -- don't be surprised if Damphousse is paid a visit by Scrooge this Christmas instead.
"It's never been the response we've wanted from the start, but hopefully we'll have a better response this time,'' Damphousse said.
With the suggestion the stalemate will ultimately lead to owners declaring an impasse, cynics say the NHLPA's offer is basically just to show it is attempting to negotiate despite failing to find common ground.
For this Commissioner Gary Bettman accepted the league's invitation to the bargaining table with caution.
"If this is a real genuine attempt to move the process forward, than I'll be delighted,'' Bettman told Canadian Press. "If this is just an attempt at PR, then I'm not sure we will have advanced things.''
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Pinging...
NHL????
Didn't that used to be a hockey league?
Are they still harping on a "Dental Plan"?
They're not playing? Gee, I hadn't missed them.
I can't decide whether I prefer hockey this season, or the money the Wild will refund to me soon if there is no season.
Now that's funny.
Dental plans are important to hockey players, eh.
There's plenty of hockey. There's Boston College, Boston University, North Dakota, Michigan State.....
I thought they gave that up for free beer at the union meetings.
That's what the plan has been all along. This is a meeting set up by the NHLPA. The owners are just playing along.
Bottom line - no NHL this year.
I know, but I never watched much college hockey. I want my Bruins back, no matter how much they suck. ;0)
You forgot MTU and UofM
Agreed. Hockey is the fastest-moving form of boredom yet created.
I'm pretty much rooting for no hockey at all. maybe that would free up the tv schedule for more texas poker, or even billiards.
The owners have created such an uneconomical system that nobody can find a buyer for their teams. Contraction is necessary.
The dental plan is their most expensive benefit.
Just watch pro basketball, the fights are better.
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