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xuxin
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Dec 23 2012, 11:52 AM
Post #1
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TORONTO -- Where do we go from here? As the NHL and NHL Players Association resume collective bargaining talks, that is the question theyre both seeking to answer. Keenan Lewis Jersey . The sides stepped away from negotiations last week with competing bids on the table and no clear road ahead. They spoke again over the weekend and agreed to devote sessions Wednesday and Thursday entirely to core economic issues -- the area where the parties seem to have the most ground to make up. "We are hoping that our meetings this week can serve as a jumping off point for further discussion and negotiation over the critical economic and system issues that we need to resolve in order to reach an agreement," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Tuesday in an email. Essentially, its time to see how much each side is willing to move off its current position, if at all. Donald Fehr spent the time between negotiating sessions holding regional player meetings -- first in Chicago and then in Kelowna, B.C. After wrapping up his session there Tuesday, the NHLPAs executive director was measured in his assessment of the talks to come. "The task is to try and find a way to make an agreement if thats something that the owners are inclined to do," Fehr told reporters. "I hope that they are and well see how it goes." While a significant gap exists between the two proposals when it comes to the amount of money available to players, there is some common ground. The unions decision to keep a hard salary cap in place was an important step in the process and its willingness to accept less than 57 per cent of revenues -- for three years, anyway -- seemed to indicate it was trying to work with the NHL. Even though commissioner Gary Bettman offered a cold public response to the unions "alternate view," some close to the talks believe it was a step in the right direction. Now who takes the next step (or two)? The owners will almost certainly seek to get more money back than the players initially offered and they are said to have no interest in the fourth year of that proposal, which called for the system to snap back to its current position. From the NHLPAs point of view, it has yet to even receive an offer worth considering. It has no interest in seeing revenues decreased anywhere near the 43 per cent range the NHL tabled last month and it also isnt enamoured with the new contract restrictions that were proposed either. "The gulf that separates us is triggered essentially by the owners position that the players have to make enormous concessions -- far more than they did the last time (in 2004-05)," said Fehr. "And what they did the last time was stunningly large." The sides are operating in the shadow of a Sept. 15 deadline, when the current CBA is set to expire and the NHL has said players will be locked out. Talks are tentatively scheduled for the next two weeks in New York so there is plenty of room for continued dialogue if the parties can start getting on the same page in the coming days. Beyond the monetary issue at the heart of talks, each side has prioritized a secondary cause. The NHLPA has made it clear that it would like to see an increase in revenue sharing and proposed the creation of an industry growth fund that would see $100 million contributed each year for struggling teams. It would be part of a wider plan totalling $250 million in annual redistributed funds and Bettman would be given the power to determine how the money from the industry growth fund is spread around. The NHL, meanwhile, is largely happy with the current economic system, but has made no secret of the fact it would like to see the end to heavily front-loaded, long-term contacts. As part of its proposal, deals would be capped at five years and would be required to pay the same amount each season. However, its reasonable to assume that the secondary issues could be taken care of once theres some movement on the main one -- and thats the topic up for discussion this week. As a result, the tone of talks in the coming days should offer a good indication of whether theres still a chance a new deal can be completed before Sept. 15. Antonio Brown Yellow Jersey . The Dodgers centre fielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list following the game because of a strained left hamstring. Kemp had played 399 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. Andre Ethier homered in Kemps absence as the Dodgers won their fifth straight. James Harrison Youth Jersey . -- The Patriots acquired receiver Greg Salas from St. http://www.teamshoppittsburghsteelers.com/mike-wallace-jerseys . According to RDS.ca in Montreal, the Alouettes released the non-import running back on Saturday. Troy Polamalu Limited Jersey .J. -- The New York Jets have acquired tackle Jeff Otah from the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed conditional draft choice. Mike Wallace Steelers Jersey . There had been speculation about whether his partner would be Pospisil or Canadas top-ranking singles player, Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont. NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees have acquired right-handed reliever Chad Qualls from the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named or cash. The Yankees made the deal Sunday during their 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The Phillies designated the right-hander for assignment Wednesday. Qualls was 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in a team-high 35 appearances for the Phillies. Righty batters are hitting .250 (19 for 76) against him this year. "Hes kind of a guy that can get up to 95 mph, somewhat of a power guy, a sinker guy," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Very tough on right-handers." The Yankees could bee looking to add a veteran arm to a relief corps that has been hit hard by injuries. James Harrison Impact Jersey. Closer Mariano Rivera is out for the season with a torn ligament in his knee and eighth-inning setup man David Robertson recently returned from a stint on the disabled list and faltered in the second of back-to-back outings. Cory Wade has also struggled in his last several appearances. "We mix and match a little bit here so we hope hes really effective for us," Girardi said. To make room for Qualls on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated minor league infielder Matt Antonelli for assignment. ' ' '
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