Report: NHL referees 'have no intention' of striking
The NHL and their coterie of on-ice officials reportedly met last week in Toronto, Ont., to try and hammer out the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement. While negotiations are ongoing, the prospect of a referee labor stoppage remains remote, according to TVA's Renaud Lavoie:
The on ice officials have no intention to go on strike and as of right now they will be their for the start of the regular season. #nhl
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 20, 2014
Pre-season games will start tomorrow with the regular on ice officials even if they don't have a new CBA yet. #lnh #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 20, 2014
So it would appear the NHL won't have to deal with replacement referees or any such ugliness this fall, which is welcome, especially since enforcing "diving" and hybrid icing in real time is challenging enough for the regular rank and file.