The National Hockey League and the NHL Players' Association, as expected, are officially headed towards a labour showdown in the months ahead.
Of what magnitude that showdown becomes remains to be seen.
But on Wednesday the NHL provided the NHLPA with a notice that it wants to modify or terminate the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, which means it will be a summer of negotiations.
Under the current CBA, one side must notify the other if they want to formally conclude the deal at least 120 days before it expires, otherwise the agreement would automatically be extended by one year.
The current CBA is set to expire on Sept. 15, 2012, which means the deadline for notification is Friday, May 18.
The move is essentially a formality and not a shocking development, given it was widely accepted that the owners especially, and the players to a certain extent, are seeking changes to the existing agreement. And the notification Wednesday is no different than what transpired in May 2004, prior to the previous agreement expiring, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the 2004-05 NHL season.
Both the NHL and NHLPA have confirmed the letter was sent and received. The two sides have not engaged in any formal talks.
The revenue share between the league and the players is expected to be the biggest sticking point. Under the current agreement, players receive 57 per cent of all hockey-related revenue and its expected the league will seek to reduce that percentage.
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