NEW YORK, 2 March 2005 — NHL Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow is expected to meet with agents this week in what could turn out to be a contentious affair.
The NHL and the Players Association will hold separate meetings to likely discuss strategy for future negotiating sessions. The union will gather with player agents in Toronto today.
Goodenow is expected to gather with agents for what is officially described as a “collective bargaining agreement update.”
“A lot of people lost a lot of money over this and not just the players. A lot of agents lost money too,” a source told AFP.
“People are upset. There will be some questions directed at Goodenow about why they budged on salary cap at the last minute.”
Citing undisclosed sources, Sportsnet television of Canada reports the session may have been called to also inform agents to keep their clients unified.
The owners were to meet yesterday in New York. According to a report on Sportsnet, a memo requesting the league meeting was sent to clubs by Commissioner Gary Bettman.
After Bettman officially canceled the 2004-05 season on Feb. 16, the two sides agreed to meet in New York three days later.
Rumors of an imminent settlement to the labor dispute ran rampant, but after gathering for 6 1/2 hours, the parties ended talks with no agreement.
