NHL owners set to vote on labor agreement

Posted: January 09, 2013

NHL owners will gather in New York on Wednesday to vote on the tentative labor agreement reached with the union last weekend.

If a majority approves, as expected, the NHL will move one step closer toward the official end of the lockout.

A majority of the 700 players also must approve the deal for hockey to return to the ice. A 48-game regular season would then be expected to begin Jan. 19.

The NHL has yet to release a schedule. According to TSN in Canada, teams will play two division opponents four times each, two other division opponents five times each, and the other 10 conference foes three times each.

Russian intrigue

Superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk has to play for the New Jersey Devils once the lockout is lifted.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that the KHL reaffirmed its intention to honor an agreement with the NHL concerning contracts.

There had been some intrigue whether Kovalchuk would leave SKA St. Petersburg to return to the Devils. Some reports in Russia said he was concerned that he would make less money playing in a lockout-shortened NHL season. He played in a KHL game Tuesday.

Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello wasn't worried.

"I have no knowledge of anything other than him coming back," Lamoriello said in a phone interview.

This article contains information from Inquirer wire services.

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