CHICAGO (AP) - The new head of the NHL players' union says negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement could begin as early as this week.
Donald Fehr said negotiations will begin after Wednesday's meeting of the NHLPA's executive board. He also didn't rule out talks stretching into the regular season.
The NHL canceled the 2004-05 season before a labor deal was reached that included a salary cap for the first time. That agreement expires on Sept. 15. Fehr shrugged off concerns about having a deal in place by the time the season begins.