Tuesday, July 12, 2005

NHL

Labor talks continue in New York

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Osgood could be part of Wings' goaltending plans.

By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

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DETROIT -- Although the NHL isn't back in business yet, there is already a fascination about who will play goalie for the Red Wings.

Commissioner Gary Bettman met with the NHL Board of Governors' executive committee Monday in New York, but there was no announcement of a collective bargaining agreement.

Bettman reportedly updated the committee on negotiations and took feedback from the committee.

The league and NHL Players' Association met until 2 a.m. Monday and resumed talking at 7:30 a.m. in an attempt to end a 10-month lockout. They've met for eight consecutive days and have had 81 negotiation sessions since the season was canceled Feb. 16.

Bettman and union executive director Bob Goodenow were not part of Monday's discussions.

Though many of the issues apparently have been settled, including a salary cap of approximately $39 million linked to revenues, several minor areas in the collective bargaining agreement have yet to be agreed upon.

But the Red Wings' goalie situation already has begun to pique the interest of fans aching for news. Because goalie Curtis Joseph is an unrestricted free agent and unlikely to return, the Wings could be interested in unrestricted free agents Nikolai Khabibulin and Chris Osgood. The latter helped the Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1998.

NHL teams are unable to negotiate with agents until the collective bargaining agreement is complete and the salary-cap ceiling is known.

The future of Manny Legace could be crucial in determining which way the Wings go. Legace might be bought out if Khabibulin is signed, with rookie Joey MacDonald, a less-expensive alternative, serving as Khabibulin's backup.

Legace likely would be kept if the Wings signed Osgood, who also was part of the Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup championship team. Legace and Osgood shared the Wings' goaltending during the 2000-01 season.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.