When Andy Strickland mentioned, “Wouldn’t be surprised to hear an announcement on a NHL CBA extension as early as the Stanley Cup Final,” it definitely grabbed a lot of attention. With NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman nearing the end of his remarkable time in office, an important behind-the-scenes deal is quietly coming together. So, the conversation eventually made its way to SDP’s YouTube channel, where NHL insider Adam Wylde talked about it with Steve Dangle and Jesse Blake.
“Gary did say that things are progressing well, and he didn’t want to obviously get into it. And you can’t, right? He can’t get into it. He can’t be like, well, here’s our sticking points. Like, he can’t talk about that. And they’ve made an agreement, by the way, just so you know, from people that I’ve talked to, the PA and the NHL have said, we are going to keep these behind closed doors,” Adam mentioned regarding the NHL commissioner and the upcoming CBA deal.
“There are not going to be leaks like there have in the past. We are not going to go at this in a, we’re going to kill each other on the negotiation floor. We want to work together. And I think here’s where the players win on this one.” So, Adam Wylde has shared that the NHL and NHLPA have decided to keep the talks about the new collective bargaining agreement under wraps. They’re steering clear of the public disputes that used to be a big part of labor negotiations. For Bettman, this is as high-stakes as it gets.
Wylde suggests that this approach might actually benefit the players, particularly with Bettman nearing the end of his time in charge and wanting to steer clear of another big labor dispute. Wylde thinks that if a CBA agreement is successful and peaceful, it would really help cement Bettman’s positive legacy.
So, the NHL insider mentioned, “So Gary is, this is it for him. And he has had a pretty good run, but with the Coyotes, the Coyotes are a blight on his record. There’s some other things that are a blight on his record, but he’s got, he’s leaving the NHL in a strong position. Some would argue that his, the TV deal he signed in Canada is too long and he’s, and they’re right. But he’s leaving the NHL in a really strong position. Revenues are up, got them through COVID. And he needs this CBA to go well, because if it doesn’t, he’s going to be remembered as the guy that had a, had two lockouts and a strike or three lockouts, right? That is, that will be it. It doesn’t matter what else you come up with.”
Wylde points out some of the flaws in Bettman’s record, especially the problems with the Arizona Coyotes and the long-term Canadian TV rights deal that has faced criticism. Even with all the good things he’s accomplished, fans and history might still label him as the commissioner behind several work stoppages if this next deal doesn’t go through. So, it’s not only about keeping things peaceful with labor; it’s also about making sure Bettman goes out on a high note, with his legacy centered on growth instead of conflict. What does Bettman have to say about this?
Gary Bettman is all set to address the NHL
During the NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, Commissioner Gary Bettman shared some thoughts on when the league plans to start talks for a new CBA with the NHL Players’ Association. He mentioned, “We’ve said that it could be as early as November, but I think everybody’s still got some homework to do. You know that the union’s on their fall tour, so no big deal. It’s just, I think, in terms of timing, that’s probably the most realistic. Which is still well, well in advance, and we think we’re collectively, in terms of the relationship, in a good place.”
Bettman talked with the media and mentioned that although there was some talk about starting discussions as soon as November, both sides still have some groundwork to finish up. The NHL commissioner said that serious negotiations should commence in the new year. He stressed that there was no need to rush things since the existing CBA is valid until September 2026. Bettman shared that he feels good about the relationship between the league and the union, highlighting that the vibe around negotiations is really positive and collaborative.
It seems like both the NHL and NHLPA are really trying to tackle the next agreement in a more positive way, moving away from the tension that marked previous discussions. Bettman didn’t exactly promise a quick deal, but he did mention a hopeful situation where they could wrap things up by the time he usually talks to the media during the Stanley Cup Final.
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