Larger text
Smaller text
Crosby frustrated by lack of progress in labor negotiations
412-664-9161 x1975Penguins Reporter
McKeesport Daily News
Contact Us | Video | RSS | Mobile
By Josh Yohe
Published: Monday, November 12, 2012, 2:36 p.m.
Updated: Monday, November 12, 2012
A visibly frustrated Sidney Crosby spoke negatively Monday of what he considers unproductive labor negotiations in New York.
Crosby has made no secret he badly wants to return to the ice — he has missed 101 games over the past two seasons because of concussions — and said the breakdown in talks last weekend give him an ominous vibe regarding the potential of an NHL season.
“I really want to be optimistic,” Crosby said following Monday's workout at Southpointe. “It's not easy right now. It's a roller coaster. One day you think there are great talks, then the next day they meet for five minutes and it's done.”
Crosby has maintained for months he will consider playing in Europe if the lockout continues for a long period. It is almost two months old, and his departure for Europe could be near.
“I think it's fair to say the longer it goes, the more you ponder it,” Crosby said.
The NHL hasn't made enough concessions to make negotiations with the NHLPA worthwhile, Crosby said.
No meeting is scheduled between the sides, although the NHLPA requested the next set of negotiations take place in Toronto instead of New York.
“It's pretty one-sided,” Crosby said of negotiations. “What have they given up to this point?
“I think we all think it's the most competitive league in the world, so why would you go and change that? The way contracts go and the way teams operate … if it's not broke, don't fix it.”
Crosby shook his head when addressing the league's assertion that union executive director Don Fehr has not given players full details of league proposals.
“That's just tactics on their part,” Crosby said. “We're pretty informed. If (Fehr) didn't want to (give us all the information), there's 15 or 20 other guys who would have told us if that's what he wanted to do.”
Crosby clearly is annoyed by the bickering that has gone public. Such talk should be kept to the negotiating table, he said.
“If the league has anything to say,” Crosby said, “they should say it in a meeting, not (to) a reporter or a journalist. Say it in a meeting. All the other stuff doesn't help anything. It's not good for anyone.”
Most Popular Stories
- Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
- Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
- Penguins Insider: Time is right for Jokinen’s return
- Kovacevic: Pens improve under microscope
- Snider’s grand slam pushes Pirates to late victory over Cubs
- Neal’s solid play soon could pay off on scoresheet for Penguins
- ‘We did it!’ Peduto tells city, as he defeats Wagner
- Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
- Senators get vote of confidence
- Rupert wins Democratic nod to run for sheriff
- Bilik DeFazio leads race on both ballots
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
