NEW YORK NHL owners today gave commissioner Gary Bettmanauthority to call off the season if not enough games can be played tomake it meaningful.
"When (Bettman) sees there's not enough time for 50 games, thenthe plug can be pulled." New York Rangers general manager Neil Smithsaid after the Board of Governors meeting. "Basically, it was areaffirmation of the position."
Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider said that no deadline hasbeen set for when negotiations with the NHL Players Association mustbe completed. But play probably would have to begin very soon afterJan. 1 in order to get in 50 games. Allowing for practice time, thatwould mean an agreement must be reached in the next week to 10 daysto save the season.
"We're only thinking about doing everything possible to get adeal," Snider said. "We don't have an exact time, but everybodyunderstands time is short."
Snider said there were no other Board of Governor meetingsscheduled because Bettman has "authority, absolute authority," todecide the fate of the season.
Owners hoped to resume negotiations with the NHLPA this week,but union officials were not immediately available.
It was the first time there had been a full board meeting sincea show of solidarity by the owners on Sept. 30 in New York. At thattime, Bettman announced the Oct. 1 opening of the season would bepostponed to give the league time to work out a contract agreementwith the players.
Bettman had given Oct. 15 as a deadline to reach an agreement.When that passed, the season was postponed indefinitely.
Along with a "drop-dead date" to cancel the season, thegovernors considered a revised schedule in the event that it issaved. The season already is down to 60 games after the cancellationof 24 games for each team, and more cuts are expected. The All-Stargame also was canceled.
Actually, there has been some movement toward a contractsettlement. The negotiators have neared agreement on two majorissues - the rookie salary cap and and free agency.
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