By Josh Yohe

Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 9:08 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, November 13, 2012

One day after NHL Players' Association special counsel Steve Fehr said a labor deal with the NHL remains quite possible, Penguins player representative Craig Adams echoed those sentiments.

Adams took an optimistic stance on a number of issues following a workout at Southpointe on Tuesday. He downplayed the possibility of the NHL shutting down the 2012-13 season, though he did not dismiss it.

“We aren't there yet,” Adams said. “Obviously, there is a deadline where we won't be able to have a season. We aren't going to start a season in March. But that stuff is up to the schedule makers and the league. We aren't there yet.”

He also expressed hope that more talks will begin soon. The NHL and NHLPA met for four days in New York last week, and although the meetings were tense and not always productive, Adams remains encouraged by the dialogue. No meetings are currently scheduled.

“I think both sides are ready and willing to talk again,” he said. “I think the meetings in New York were productive. We made progress on some issues. We got closer on some things. It was positive in that regard.”

Adams has said many times that the NHL has been unwilling to partake in legitimate negotiations. 

“Ready and willing to sit down and talk is different than being ready and willing to make a true effort to get a deal,” Adams said. “We'll see what happens.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed in an email Tuesday that, while the sides aren't close to solving any major issues, the NHL is not currently considering cancelling more games.

Josh Yohe is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at jyohe@tribweb.com.

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