Progress in NHL labor talks?

Last season’s NHL playoffs were amazing. Series after series produced a lot of great games, complete with fighting and dirty play. You may not like the dirty stuff, but it’s sure fun to watch.

But, all that momentum that the NHL gained is in peril. They need a new labor deal in place shortly or the owners will lock out the players. Reports have been all over the place in terms of progress.

This latest report, however, is a good one. Apparently, Gary Bettman and his assistant Bill Daly had a five-hour meeting with five NHLPA reps. One of those reps, Zenon Konopka of the Minnesota Wild, says the meeting went very well.

“It was very educational,” Konopka told NSSradiotv.com. “We explained our last offer and gave a chance to (Bettman) to explain the owners’ last offer. Did we solve the problem? No, but it was definitely a positive meeting and a step in the right direction. Hopefully, we established some common ground that we can start building on.”

Konopka the same seven guys are hoping to meet again Sunday or Monday.

“There are gaps,” Konopka said, “and we have to think of ways to bridge the gaps. . .But we’re cautiously optimistic now that this can be done.”

Get it done!