NEWARK, N.J. - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr confirmed on Wednesday that their sides hope to begin discussions on a new collective agreement in the next few weeks.
This was one of several topics Bettman spoke about in his annual pre-Stanley Cup final state-of-the-union address. Fehr was in attendance to listen to Bettman speak in the bowels of the Prudential Center and afterwards the NHLPA boss held his own Q-and-A session with reporters.
It was ironic that Bettman announced in his session that the league enjoyed record revenues of $3.3-billion US this season. Yet, there is a strong possibility that the 2012-13 NHL season will not begin on time because of prolonged CBA fight.
So as we watch the Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings – there is a possibility that this could be the only NHL hockey we have for a long time.