NHLPA to give $10,000 stipend to players

The NHLPA executive board has authorized to provide a $10,000 stipend to all players, a source confirmed.

Don Fehr talks to reporters at presser/Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

The players already have missed four paychecks as a result of the league-imposed lockout.

The NHLPA’s next decision will be to respond to the NHL on whether to accept commissioner Gary Bettman’s invitation to hold a players/owners-only meeting, with no league or NHLPA staff present. The idea was presented as an alternative option after mediation broke down between the two sides Thursday.

ESPN New York reports the stipend to give players some revenue after missing four paychecks. What I think it does is give more maneuverability to players. If you show the owners…We will eat and pay mortgage…They can’t starve them into a deal. If the NHLPA shows they can sustain a missed season the Owner’s should crack or commit business suicide.