January 9, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the National Hockey League lockout during a press conference at the Westin New York in Times Square. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL Board Of Governors met today at the Western Times Square in New York to ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will hold for 10 years. To represent the Tampa Bay Lightning team owner Jeff Vinik, general manager Steve Yzerman, and assistant general manager Julien BriseBois were in attendance. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and  Chairman of the Board Of Governors Jeremy Jacobs, who owns the Boston Bruins, held a press conference after the meeting to confirm the ratification.

The vote went through unanimously. The CBA still won’t be official until the NHLPA votes on it and it gets signed. A spokesperson for the union said that should happen on Saturday. Teams are looking to start training camp as soon as Sunday, with the season starting on January 19. It’s rumored, though not official, that the Lightning might actually get to start off the season at home this year. The schedule, which was set to be released either tomorrow or Friday, is now to be released “instantaneously” after the deal is signed.

“To the players, who were very clear they wanted to be on the ice and not negotiating labor contracts; to our partners, who support the League financially and personally; and, most importantly, to our fans, who love and have missed NHL hockey, I am sorry. I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings that have built up over the past few months, but I owe you an apology nevertheless.

“The National Hockey League has a responsibility to earn back your trust and support whether you watch one game or every game, and that effort begins today,” Commissioner Bettman later added. “The players are ready to play their hearts out for you. The teams are preparing to welcome you back with open arms. The wait is just about over. Like all of you, we can’t wait to drop the puck.” -Gary Bettman

Not covered in the CBA is the issue of realignment and participation in the Olympics. Bettman said that they will address these issues in the future. It will be interesting to see how they do the realignment.

Bettman ended with this:

“Once the players ratify the Agreement, all the things that you love most about NHL hockey — the speed, the intensity, the skill, the teamwork and the incredible passion — will greet you once again,” he added. “As I said, we know that no words of apology or explanation will soften the disappointment. I read the letters, I followed the tweets, I read the blogs — we have a lot of work to do.”

Dolly Dolce
@HulaDolly

September 12, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NHLPA executive director Don Fehr (right) flanked by Vancouver Canucks player Manny Malhotra (to his left) and Winnipeg Jets player Ron Hainsey (to his right) during a press conference at the 2012 NHLPA summer player meetings at the Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When asked about the progress the two sides have made he had this to say,

There has been some progress, but we’re still apart on a number of issues,” Commissioner Bettman said. “But, as long as the process continues, I am hopeful.” ~ NHL.com

During these negotiations, members from both sides of the table sat down with Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for approximately 4 hours. This stretch of meetings started around 8:15pm.

When asked about his view of the process, NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr was almost as cryptic as Bettman.

“The parties moved closer together on some issues but there is still a ways to go if an agreement can be reached, and we’ll consider where we are in the morning and figure out what we do next. That’s about all I can say about the process.” ~ NHL.com

As you all already know, Commissioner Bettman has been very adamant in his belief that there will be no hockey season if that season were to be less than 48 games. Unfortunately, the date for this hard limit is approaching almost as fast as a Stamkos slap shot. If a season does not start by January 19^th, a 48 game season will not be possible. The NHL has already cancelled all games through January 14^th.

At this point, one can assume that if the negotiations break down again, it may very well be the end of the 2012-2013 hockey season.

All we can do at this point is sit back and hope that they can work out their differences, and that our boys in blue will be back on the ice soon.