Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

After stalled negotiations, Oilers’ Horcoff now “worried for the season”

Edmonton Oilers v Minnesota Wild

ST PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 14: Shawn Horcoff #10 of the Edmonton Oilers speaks with linesman Thor Nelson #80 during their game against the Minnesota Wild on October 14, 2010 at Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shawn Horcoff;Thor Nelson

Hannah Foslien

Having witnessed owners reject the NHLPA’s three CBA proposals, Shawn Horcoff now fears for the fate of the 2012-13 season.

“I am worried for the season, I’m really worried,” the Oilers captain told the Edmonton Sun. “Especially after today, seeing what I saw. I think the next step is cancelling another big chunk of games, probably into the middle of November.”

Horcoff was one of 18 players in Toronto for Thursday’s meeting and, from what he saw, the negotiations went nowhere.

“There was no talk whatsoever, not even any communication among their own people in the room, among the owners. It was that quick,” he explained. “It didn’t really matter what we had to say. Unless we totally accepted their deal, they weren’t going to take it. ”

Horcoff also shared his disdain for commissioner Gary Bettman, re-iterating a common refrain heard throughout the work stoppage:

Players don’t trust Bettman. Nor do they like him.

Horcoff said the players huddled to watch Bettman’s post-meeting presser and were “going crazy” at what the commissioner told the media.

Things have gotten to the point where the players’ emotions have made the union almost defiant in its stance, something Horcoff shared with the Sun.

“We’re willing to sit the year out if it means getting the right deal,” he said.