Report: NHLPA exploring options in case NHL cancels season

The NHLPA is looking into potential countermeasures if the NHL opts to scrap the 2020-21 campaign, reports TSN's Rick Westhead.

NHLPA lawyers are mulling two courses of action should the league cancel the season, according to Westhead. One would be filing an unfair labor practice complaint with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, and the other would be a grievance through an arbitrator.

The players' union would be seeking to ensure its members get paid if no games are played.

Talks between the NHL and the NHLPA reportedly stalled recently after the league made a pair of proposals asking the players to defer at least twice the amount of salary they agreed to in July's updated CBA.

Some players felt angry and betrayed in response to the NHL's latest offers, and agent Andy Scott said they shouldn't have to renegotiate an agreement both sides consented to four months ago.

On Wednesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league wasn't trying to do that and expressed disapproval with the offers' portrayal.

The CBA's terms could ultimately benefit either side. Article 5 states the league can "determine when, where, how and under what circumstances it wishes to operate (or) suspend" a season, as Westhead notes. However, Article 7 says, “Neither the league nor any club shall engage in a lockout during the term of this agreement."

The NHL has long targeted Jan. 1 as the 2020-21 start date, but that's looking less likely now because teams would need several weeks for training camps and it's doubtful that players would want to open those over the holidays.