A calm settled over the NHL's brewing labour storm one day after negotiations were untracked in spectacular fashion.
The league and NHL Players' Association took a step back Friday to evaluate where they stand and start charting a path forward in negotiations. They have yet to set a date to resume talks, but they know they'll have to return to the table soon with the window to save a partial season narrowing.
Despite the fact that three days of negotiations ended with personal public jabs between the sides, commissioner Gary Bettman balked at the notion a lack of trust with NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr was keeping them from closing a deal.
"There's no reason for anybody to suggest that trust is an issue," Bettman said Thursday night. "Listen, collective bargaining is hard stuff, and sometimes it's made even harder depending on the goals and objectives that people have and organizations have. But the fact is you have professionals in the room."
There was no contact between the sides on Friday as both took some time to cool off.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was among the players who attended the meetings and he expressed frustration after returning home.
