Donald Fehr neither tipped his hand nor gave any cause for concern with the NHL collective bargaining agreement set to expire Sept. 15.
In fact, the NHLPAs executive director left open the possibility that his union would consider working without a contract past the deadline if meaningful negotiations are already taking place.
Fehrs comments were made in Chicago following the conclusion of three days of discussion by the unions executive board.
Among the 31 players on the newly announced negotiating committee, one of them is Flyers winger Scott Hartnell. Throughout the months ahead, about 10 players are expected to attend every meeting.
Unlike the last negotiating sessions with then union executive director Bob Goodenow and later Ted Saskin, who openly debated issues with the media, Fehr was reserved and careful in what he said, insisting that internal discussions within the union will remain that way.
For instance, Fehr would not comment on what the executive committee felt was the single biggest priority heading into the next CBA.
He would not discuss what if lockout scenarios and would not talk about what the owners are quietly already stating: that they want player revenues reduced from 57 percent to 51 percent in the next CBA.
NHL
I'm not getting into specifics on how we may react to hypothetical proposals, Fehr said.
Even though both the NFL and NBA got substantial givebacks on player revenue sharing in their most recent CBAs following lockouts, the NHL has already admitted a 64 percent increase in revenues since the last lockout (2004-05), making it unlikely the players will concede that much percentage there.
Fehr also said he wasnt concerned that he did not have an advance agenda from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman or deputy Bill Daly as to what the owners consider points of contention.
Talks between the two sides are expected to commence this week and move right into the fall.
(More coming)E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net