Hockey talks resume in Toronto

TORONTO — The NHL Players Association offered an immediate 24 percent rollback of salaries Thursday as the centerpiece of a proposal handed to the league in an effort to end the season-long lockout.

“It will immediately reduce the value of every current player contract,” NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said. “It will immediately set a dramatically lower base in the negotiation of new contracts and it contains numerous systemic changes in all the leverage points that are contained in the collective agreement.”

The union said all current contracts would be cut, a move that would save NHL teams $270 million in the first year and $528 million over three years. The players’ association offer on Sept. 9 only included a 5 percent salary rollback.

“One aspect of the proposal is very significant,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “That element is a recognition by the union of our economic condition, but it is a one-time element.

“We have said consistently that the focus must be on the overall systemic issues and the long-term needs and health of our game.”

By union estimates, the six-year, six-point proposal would save the NHL a total that exceeds $1 billion in that time span.

The salary rollback would change the dynamics for unsigned players, who would work out new deals based on the adjusted salary figures of comparable players and not on the value of their original contracts.

Originally, the sides set up to meet today, as well, but those talks were pushed back until next Tuesday. That session will be held either in New York or Toronto.

“We will fully review the union’s proposal and respond,” Bettman said. “It is our present intention to make a counterproposal.”

Time is running short to work out a deal and still have a legitimate season. Already 382 regular-season games, plus the All-Star contest have been canceled.