Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Jets trying to stay positive about NHL/NHLPA negotiations

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 10/1/2012 11:46 AM | Comments: 0

Olli Jokinen works on some drills at the MTS Iceplex this morning as the lockout continues. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

WINNIPEG -- NHL players in Winnipeg didn't have any scoops or extra optimism after a weekend of talks between the league and the NHL Players Association in New York.

The sides met for three days but dealt with non-economic issues like drug testing and other legal matters, all of which will need to be part of a final deal, but none of which are going to be key to a new collective bargaining agreement.

The players have been locked out since Sept 15. All exhibition games were canceled. Regular-season games are scheduled to begin Oct. 11, which doesn't leave much time to forge a deal.

"We got information about what's going on but there's nothing really to report," Winnipeg Jets centre Olli Jokinen said this morning after working out at the MTS Iceplex with some of his teammates. "So no news.

"At least they're talking. That's the only positive thing. Last time (in 2004) it was different. We had a World Cup of Hockey at the time and we played a final and then the next day the CBA was expiring.

"Instead of me, playing for Team Finland against Canada, instead of flying to Florida we took the plane back to Europe. We knew the lockout was going to be for a long time, probably a year or even longer.

"This time, I think the whole summer we were more optimistic and we will still try to stay positive and hope for the best."

The number of players skating and working out here today was down to nine; Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Olli Jokinen, Eric Fehr, Ryan Reaves, Mark Stuart, Antti Miettinen and goalies James Reimer and Steve Christie.

Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen is still around town but wasn't on the ice. Attendance has dwindled at the workouts in some part because AHL players like Kevin Clark, Jason Gregoire, Darcy Zajac and Calvin Pickard have gone off to their own teams' training camps.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.