The NHL and its Players Association are scheduled to resume collective bargaining negotiations on Wednesday with an additional day of talks already scheduled for Thursday. As of this time, the negotiations are not expected to include any talks of core economic issues, which is the primary points of contention dividing the two sides.
This round of negotiations will come after the two sides held an unannounced meeting last Friday between NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Bill Daly, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr and his brother Steve who is acting as special counsel to the Players Association.
It is believed that the two sides are discussing secondary issues in order to gain momentum toward talks on core issues. The two sides remain at odds because the owners want to cut the players share of revenue. The players are willing to take less, but want it to come from anticipated revenue growth and want to maintain their current cut of $1.8 billion.
The NHL made $3.3 billion in 2011-12, which was the highest total in the history of the game. Every percentage point change in either direction represents $33 million and does not include future growth.