Bettman, NHL issue another proposal to players

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL has issued another proposal to the players’ association as a lockout looms next month.

NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr confirmed that the league offered a new proposal — its second this summer — during negotiations Tuesday at the NHL offices. The two sides will meet again on Wednesday to discuss it, after Fehr and the players break it down on their own.

Speaking outside of the headquarters, Fehr said it was “a proposal that we intend to respond to.”

The current collective bargaining agreement runs out on Sept. 15 and the NHL has said it will lock the players out if a new deal isn’t reached.

Limiting the personnel at the bargaining table in the hope of making progress, only Fehr and his top assistant, Steve Fehr, met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy Bill Daly on Tuesday. Traditionally, several players have joined in, but not this week as the end of the current CBA draws near.