Mediators fail to ease lockout woes
Share This Story
If the NHL and the players association are going to make a deal to save the hockey season, they are likely going to have to do it by themselves.
A pair of federal mediators tried to help for two days, but even they couldn't bring the fighting sides closer to a compromise.
"After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded that the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement Thursday. "We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful."
So far, nothing has been.
Two members from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service joined the discussions on Wednesday and Thursday and failed to make a breakthrough. Now the owners and players are back on their own to somehow find a compromise.
"The mediators informed the parties that they did not think it was productive to continue the discussions further today," players' association executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement Thursday. "The mediators indicated that they would stay in contact with the league and the NHLPA, and would call the parties back together when they thought the time was right."
The bottom line is that, 75 days into the owners' lockout of players, there is no end in sight. The lockout has already forced the cancellation of games through Dec. 14, the New Year's Day Winter Classic, and the All-Star weekend in January.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered the union a meeting that would consist of only owners and players — without the presence of leaders on both sides of the dispute — Daly told The Associated Press in an email. He added that the union was considering the proposal and would get back to the league.
"We will be discussing all matters regarding the last two days of mediation as well as potential next steps with the executive board and negotiating committee," NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon said.
After agreeing to help from mediators Monday, the league and the union returned to the bargaining table Wednesday for their first face-to-face talks in a week. Those discussions lasted for about six hours.
They met again Thursday morning until late afternoon before breaking off.
A RINK AND A SMILE
Check out the FOXiest fans of NHL teams across the continent and tweet us your photo.The next sure thing on the hockey calendar is the NHL board of governors, scheduled next Wednesday in New York. Meanwhile, the players could seek to decertify the union and challenge the lockout in court.
Either way, the sides are getting close to losing another season to labor strife. The NHL is already the only major North American sports league to cancel a season because of such a dispute -- when the 2004-05 schedule was wiped out.
Mediation didn't work back then, either, though the collective bargaining agreement that recently expired was ultimately hammered out. Mediators were summoned in February, shortly before the season was canceled.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Tulloch: Young knows he has disorder
Titus Young, whose three arrests in two weeks raised concern for his mental health, r... -
Akron CB arrested in robbery case
Seth Cunningham, a senior cornerback at the University of Akron, was arrested this we... -
Oxbow goes wire to wire in Preakness
Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown. -
Williams' dispute with ex continues
An initial attempt to settle a lawsuit between Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Will... -
'Melo, Knicks were destined to fail
Carmelo's hero complex, one-man scheme fails New York yet again.
NHL Videos
Boychuk leads Bruins by Rangers
Posted: May 19, 2013
Johnny Boychuk on the Bruins' 5-2 win over the Rangers in Game 2. Boston leads ...
Johnny Boychuk on the Bruins' 5-2 win over the Rangers in Game 2. Boston leads ...
Highlights: LA/SJ - Game 3
Posted: May 19, 2013
Check out highlights from the Sharks' 2-1 OT win in Game 3. Kings lead series 2-...
Check out highlights from the Sharks' 2-1 OT win in Game 3. Kings lead series 2-...
Scuderi: "We're not happy with the calls"
Posted: May 19, 2013
Rob Scuderi on the Kings' 2-1 loss to the Sharks in Game 3. Kings lead series 2...
Rob Scuderi on the Kings' 2-1 loss to the Sharks in Game 3. Kings lead series 2...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Premier Hockey Jersey - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Premier Hockey Jersey - Black |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 43.99 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 47.99 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 47.99 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.