Puck’s in players’ court as NHL talks take break

NEW YORK — The NHL Players’ Association will determine the next step in collective bargaining talks with the league.

After meeting for a fourth straight day, the sides broke from negotiations early Friday evening and made it clear that the union would be responsible for deciding when they restart.

Donald Fehr, the NHLPA’s executive director, said there were “things to consider” before heading back to his office and conducting a conference call with players. It left NHL officials to sit and wait. “I don’t have a whole lot to tell you other than we met on a fourth consecutive day,” said commissioner Gary Bettman. “We’re waiting to hear from the players’ association in terms of when they’ll be ready for us to get back together again.”

The sides exchanged proposals earlier in the week and are believed to be having trouble bridging the gap on the “make whole” provision. They are also at odds over proposed changes to player contract rules.

On Friday morning, a memo Fehr sent to his membership was leaked to reporters and he concluded the update by saying “there is still a lot of work to be done and bridges to be crossed before an agreement can be made.”

However, the four days of meetings represent the longest run the sides have had during these negotiations. While noting that it’s always “better to be together and talk,” he refused to characterize how things had gone.

“I don’t want to either raise or lower expectations,” said Bettman. “I won’t be happy until we get to the end result and that means we’re playing again.”

The NHL and NHLPA are attempting to strike a deal that would end the 55-day lockout, which has already forced the cancellation of 327 regular-season games.

It’s possible that negotiations could run through the weekend and force Bettman and Fehr to miss the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto. However, it will only happen if there are signs of progress.

“Whatever it takes,” said Bettman. “We’re available and, as I said, we’re waiting to hear back from the players’ association in terms of when they’ll be ready.”