Pressure Shifts as NHL Talks Resume

The NHL and NHL Players' Association meet tomorrow, and the media consensus gives labour the upper hand on management.

With or without a collective agreement, NHL players aren't due another paycheque until October. All the urgency is on the owners side. They want to hold an entry draft in June, need a plan to show sponsors and broadcasters, and face further roster turmoil when another crop of free agents hits the market in July.

A few weeks ago, many columnists predicted that Gary Bettman and the owners wouldn't dare cancel an entire NHL season. But for what it's worth, reporters like Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun are say a majority of owners are demanding a deal in time for next year.