The two sides appeared ready to compromise on rookie salary cap and free agency issues, following six hours of talks Monday, The Canadian Press reported. But the owners were considering bringing their "luxury tax" proposal to the table when talks resumed Tuesday.
Said Bob Goodenow, NHL Players Association director, "We've been negotiating for weeks as if there is no tax. If there is, it will be very difficult to get an agreement."
The tax, which would punish teams that sign free agents, has remained in the owners' playbook, ready to be brought out at any time.
The players have said they will reject any agreement that includes a salary cap for veterans.
Citing unidentified sources from both management and union, Canadian Press said the two sides tentatively agreed that the rookie salary cap would be $1 million for first-round picks, a figure that would index upward as league salaries escalate.
The news service also said players would become unrestricted free agents at 30 years of age, and that the franchise player provision would be dropped.
Canadian Press said, however, that none of these points was completed. An Associated Press management source said, "None of the major items was checked off."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.