The sides talked for about 20 hours over three days in Montreal and finished the latest round of discussions yesterday. All that appeared to be accomplished was the completion of an assessment of the business and management operations of each of the 30 clubs, according to the Associated Press.
The NHLPA called these discussions that began two weeks earlier in New Jersey a "side step" in the negotiations. The NHL labeled it a "charade" and said the players were stalling to force owners to lock them out once the collective bargaining agreement expires on September 15.
"We continue to be somewhat dubious as to where they're going with it, but they made assurances to us that it was for the purpose of furthering the negotiation," said Bill Daly, the NHL's chief legal officer and executive vice president. "While they didn't commit to making a proposal, I would suggest we expect one since they suggested this discussion was for a purpose."
But the NHLPA contends owners will listen only to a proposal that includes a salary cap, a solution the players refuse to offer or accept. The players have been reluctant to offer a new deal it feels has no chance of being received favourably.
"They are still only interested in negotiating a cap system, which provides us with no reason for optimism and no basis for any real progress," NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin said.
Both parties expect to get together again next week. Toronto and St. Paul are likely destinations because both cities are staging World Cup games.
