| According to Gary Bettman, the prevailing NHL hockey | | | | indeed exist. The players' union emphatically denies |
| commissioner, during a recent interview with TSN, the | | | | that the owners have any financial difficulty at all. |
| Canadian cable sports network the NHL hockey | | | | Given this, it is hard for both sides to come to a unified |
| season is just slipping away. He is not confident that a | | | | solution when everyone on the face of the earth |
| settlement between the players' union can be reached | | | | knows, except for the players' union, that the NHL is in |
| soon. Bettman maintains that the NHL needs a strong | | | | serious financial trouble. Bettman says, "If at any point |
| economic system and the owners will wait until such a | | | | in time the union is interested in resuming formal |
| pact is secured that ensures the league's viability. | | | | negotiations, all they have to do is let us know and we'll |
| Furthermore, Bettman reiterated to TSN the NHL | | | | be happy to re-engage." |
| league's dismal financial position. Both the owners and | | | | And the NHL hockey season just keeps slipping away. |
| players argued whether or not the financial troubles | | | | |