Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr according to many different sources are really close to unlocking the doors to allow the National Hockey League in North America to return to the ice. With a few issues remaining that have to be solved, we are getting closer to the finish line. Pension seems to be the biggest cause of concern, and if the season was cancelled because of this reason, I wouldn't blame the fans who already left to never come back and watch another NHL game.
Bettman was told by many owners that cancelling the season will not be acceptable this year. They have been said to say if the season is cancelled over the issues that remain, there would be a vote that would unanimously be through the roof to have Bettman relieved of his duties as NHL commissioner. With that being said, the two sides were back at it today. Meetings were set for 10:00am this morning and lasted a little over 4 hours with the NHLPA just now leaving the offices in New York City to discuss the latest talks between the two parties. The two sides will meet again tonight at a time still to be determined. All week long joining the meetings was a federal mediator, who usually participates in talks if things are serious. Well folks we sure are getting serious. Another big step today was bringing in a professional who handles talks about pension. The signs continue to be positive and it should only take a matter of days before a settlement is finally reached.
With the season predicted to start on January 19th, the rivalry between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins is expected to renew as hockey returns. As PGH Tribune reported earlier, the Flyers have a scheduled day game at 1:00pm against the Calgary Flames. With a shortened 48 game season this gets wiped out since it will only be conference games played. Every team will play on January 19th and this particular matchup would be must-see right from the start. On the 19th at 7:00pm the Penn State Nittany Lions will play Vermont at theWells Fargo Center which will be their first time ever stepping on that ice. The Consol Energy Center home to the Penguins is booked at 7:00 which makes the rivalry matchup more likely to happen. This would be a great way to bring hockey back and making it a National televised game on NBC would be even better. First game of the year and we get to hear the legendary voice of Mike "Doc" Emrick, color commentator Eddy Olyck, and inside the glass reporter Pierre McGuire. If the NHL wants their fans back, it doesn't get any better than a Flyers Penguins afternoon matinee to kick off the "2013" season. Much more to come in the next couple of days.
-Jimmy "the Fish" Forte (Beat writer for the Sports Goombahs)
-Twitter: @jimmyfort28
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- Thanks for reading!
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