NHL Players Union Fed Up, Says ‘Let Them Shut It Down’

NEW YORK â€”  The NHL’s negotiating committee met with Commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday to discuss a response to the players’ latest contract offer, but the union apparently won’t consider the counterproposal.

“Basically our guys are fed up. We’ve done everything they’ve asked, and it’s still not enough,� a union source said. “If they want to shut it down, let them shut it down.

“They’re trying to call our bluff, figuring we have something else to give. I think next week, they’re going to find themselves without a league to run.�

The union’s latest offer, which did not include a payroll tax and proposed lowering the eligibility age for free agency to 30 from 31, will be rejected today by the league’s Board of Governors. Bettman will announce a two-pronged counterproposal, one that includes a tax and one that does not have a tax but severely restricts salary arbitration and free agency for veteran players.

He is expected to impose a Monday deadline for the union’s reply and to invite Bob Goodenow, the executive director of the NHL Players Assn., to a negotiating session that will determine whether the season can be salvaged.

The two lead negotiators have not met since Dec. 6, although they have spoken by phone.

With no reason for optimism, the Kings decided there was no reason to skate this weekend.

Players scheduled practices for today and Sunday at their training facility in North Hills, but upon hearing dismal reports Friday from union negotiators, they canceled the sessions. Although they haven’t practiced on weekends, players said they would have this weekend if it had appeared a settlement was imminent.

“We haven’t been skating on the weekend, so why start now?� defenseman Charlie Huddy said. “We wanted to wait and see what happened. I don’t think not skating on Saturday and Sunday will make a difference, we’ve been out so long.�

* Times staff writer Lisa Dillman contributed to this story.