“We are pleased with the process that is ongoing, and out of respect for that process I don’t have anything else to say,” Bettman said.
Executives scurried on New York streets and hopped into cars after the two-hour board of governors meeting, some offering an opinion on the proceedings.
“We feel good about the information we got,” new Columbus Blue Jackets President John Davidson said.
Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the six owners participating in these negotiations, also painted an optimistic picture as he walked the few blocks back to the hotel hosting the meetings.
“We’re going to continue to talk up until we get a deal,” said Tanenbaum, who added there is more clarity on both sides where each group stands. “All I can say is as long as we’re talking we’re hopeful.”
If a breakthrough can be made soon, the delayed and shortened hockey season could get going quickly.
“I’ve always been hopeful there would be a season,” said Lou Lamoriello, the New Jersey Devils president and general manager. “Right now we just have to leave it in the hands of the people that are talking.”
The same negotiators participated in talks Wednesday, with minor tweaks to the large contingent of players.
Bargaining stretched on Tuesday night until about midnight, and it was clear progress was made when Daly stood side by side with union special counsel Steve Fehr and issued a rare joint status report.
The sides are trying to avoid another lost season. The NHL became the first North American professional sports league to cancel a full year because of a labor dispute back in 2005. The deal reached then was in place until this September, and the lockout was enacted on Sept. 16 after that agreement expired.
The lockout reached its 82nd day Thursday. The main issues are how to split revenue and how player contracts are set up. The league had more than $3 billion in revenue in the 2011-12 season, but an analysis by Forbes magazine recently showed a major gap between profitable teams and those that operate in the red.
All games through Dec. 14, along with the New Year’s Day Winter Classic and the All-Star game, have been wiped off the schedule so far.
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