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With Time Running Out, NHL Presents New Offer To Players

BOSTON (CBS) - With time running out for the NHL, there is some movement towards ending the lockout that has cost the league over half the season.

According to an anonymous player, the NHL owners made a new proposal to the NHL Players' Association on Thursday which softened their stance on the term limit for player contracts, salary variance and buyouts, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Friday.

The owners have reportedly moved from five years to six on the term limits on contracts. The players originally countered earlier this month, willing to limit deals to eight years.

In addition, year-to-year salary variances were moved from five-percent to 10-percent, while the "make whole" provision -- money to offset lost hockey-related revenue for players -- remained at $300 million.

Teams would also be allowed one compliance buyout before the 2013-14 season that would not count against the salary cap.

Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, released the following statement on Friday regarding the new proposal:

"In light of media reports this morning, I can confirm that we delivered to the Union a new, comprehensive proposal for a successor CBA late yesterday afternoon. We are not prepared to discuss the details of our proposal at this time. We are hopeful that once the Union's staff and negotiating committee have had an opportunity to thoroughly review and consider our new proposal, they will share it with the players. We want to be back on the ice as soon as possible."

No talks have been scheduled for Friday, and the two sides have not met since December 13 when federal mediators failed to produce any progress in the negotiations.

But according to multiple reports, the NHLPA has a conference call scheduled for 3 pm on Friday to determine their next step.

Though nothing is set in stone, the sides are facing a mid-January deadline to agree to a new CBA or the entire season will likely be lost.

98.5 The Sports Hub's Hardy & Trupiano along with Dave Goucher discussed the newest developments.

Movement In NHL Lockout?

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