Bill Daly Work Quotations

I remain optimistic for two reasons. One is it's not as if we haven't done anything to date. We have done a lot of the work that needs to be done in these types of negotiations. I also believe there is an understanding on the other side with respect to the issues that are facing the game. The only thing we need to get our arms around and come to an agreement on, and I'm not going to suggest it's insignificant, is what's the proper way to resolve these issues.

The way it appears, union leadership now will make a last-minute proposal, possibly as late as September 14 or 15, and characterize it as its 'magnanimous last and best effort to save the season,' ... I am doubtful that the proposal will be a meaningful, bona fide effort to address our problems, which threaten to deprive our fans of a prompt start to the season. If the proposal consists of a repackaged 'status quo' system, it will not work - and will not be acceptable - and union leadership knows it.

I believe we're a lot closer to the same philosophies than they are portraying now. Were there points in those meetings when both sides were clearly frustrated and Trevor was clearly frustrated? Absolutely, and I understand that. I can only take that back and try to process that and try to find a way to satisfy the concerns he was raising. We're trying to craft something that will work for both sides. And I can tell you that I think we're a lot closer than they're suggesting we are.

We still believe that the framework we have had in place for the last 10 years now has served the sport of hockey well.