Agreement reached on drug testing and player safety, but parties do not address economic issues preventing a new labor deal.
Image of ice hockey match 370(photo credit: Fanograph)ByREUTERSThe National Hockey League (NHL) and union representing its locked-out players reached agreement on drug testing and player safety on Friday but did not address the core economic issues standing in the way of a new labor deal."We're taking baby steps right now." Mathieu Schneider, a special assistant to the NHL Players Association's executive director, told reporters in New York. "We are not really discussing anything that has to do with the core economics," he said.The NHL locked out its players on Sept. 16 when the previous labor deal expired with the two sides at odds over how to divide a $3.3 billion revenue pie.The lockout, which is the NHL's fourth work stoppage in 20 years, has already forced the league to cancel its entire preseason schedule.Regular season play is scheduled to start Oct. 11 if a new collective bargaining agreement can be reached in time.More meetings are planned for Sunday.RECOMMENDED STORIESAt least 70 wounded, two killed after four rounds of Iranian attack slam IsraelJUNE 12, 2025Israel trying to persuade US to join in continuing strikes on Iran, sources tell 'Post'JUNE 13, 2025Vacation ruse, phantom trip, hostage decoy: How Israel misled Tehran before Iran strikeJUNE 13, 2025Mossad leads series of secret attack operations in heart of IranJUNE 13, 2025