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Bettman appreciative of NHLPA proposal, hopes it creates momentum

NHL Labor Hockey

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to reporters following labor talks, Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, in New York. The league and the players’ association met Friday for the fourth straight day trying to reach an agreement to end the lockout. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

AP

Today in New York, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman admitted the league and players are “still far apart” in CBA negotiations; however, he did express appreciation at receiving a comprehensive proposal from the NHLPA.

“We’re still far apart,” said Bettman. “But hopefully there’s some momentum so we can bring this to a conclusion.”

The commissioner struck a somewhat more optimistic tone than NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, who said earlier there was “no reciprocity in any meaningful sense” from the NHL in response to the union’s proposal.

In a related story, Bettman expressed his frustration at what he deemed the NHLPA’s “gamesmanship.”

Also noteworthy: an “angry” Flyers fan confronted Bettman during the press conference.

Image via Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Fan

Following the media scrum, Bettman reportedly had a conversation with the man and “thanked him for being a fan.”