NEW YORK — With the threat of a National Hockey League (NHL) lockout less than a month away, the head of the players' union Friday offered a blunt reminder that his members are not the ones interested in a work stoppage. The NHL has previously said that if a new labor agreement is not reached before the current one expires on Sept. 15 it is prepared to lock out players rather than operate under the old deal while carrying on negotiations. “Nobody on the players' side is talking about stopping the season. Nobody on the players' side is talking about having negotiations go up to a certain date and then that's all,” NHL Players Association (NHLPA) head Donald Fehr said during a conference call from Chicago. “I have been in experiences before in which you play without a contract under the old rules and you continue negotiating and try and find a deal. We hope there isn't (a lockout), we don't think there is a reason for it. If they choose to do it you should understand it's something they chose to do.” A proposal submitted by the NHL last month showed a desire to have players give up a significant amount of salary to help stabilize the industry, but the union, who presented their offer Tuesday, feel that would be best accomplished if the owners agreed to share greater revenue with struggling teams. — Reuters
