Negotiations between the NHL and the players' union will resume Thursday, but the players' union feel it just a small step toward resolving the ongoing lockout after reviewing the NHL's latest proposals where they put forward a 50-50 revenue sharing proposal.
Donald Fehr, head of the players' union had a meeting with the players for a consolidated decision. He also wrote a letter that was addressed to the players and the agents, which stated the NHL's plan would cost them over $1.6 billion over six years.
According to a report by TSN, Fehr said in the letter: "Simply put, the owners' new proposal, while not quite as Draconian as their previous proposals, still represents enormous reductions in player salaries and individual contracting rights.
"As you will see, at the 5 percent industry growth rate the owners predict, the salary reduction over six years exceeds $1.6 billion. What do the owners offer in return?"
The NHL canceled all the regular season games through October 24 following the lockout which began on 16 September 2012.
Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner said they had put forward "a fair offer for a long-term deal. One that we hope gets a positive reaction."
Fehr, however, seems skeptical of the NHL's proposal. His brother and lawyer of the union, Steve Fehr said: "We're studying it and we're trying to get ready to give a response."
The NHL is pretty hopeful of reaching a deal by October 25.
Donald Fehr wrote: "We do not yet know whether this proposal is a serious attempt to negotiate an agreement, or just another step down the road. The next several days will be, in large part, an effort to discover the answer to that question."
Frank Brown, the NHL spokesman said the NHL would not respond to the union head's letter.
In Tuesday's meeting the NHL had proposed a 50-50 split of the hockey-generated revenue for six years. The league had offered a 43% share in July and 47% in September, which was met with vehement protests from the players' union.
The Associated Press quoted Niklas Kronwall, the Red Wings defenseman as saying: "I hope we can get going ASAP. We will be presenting something soon and hopefully this week's proposals will spark things in the right direction. Still some work to get done."
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