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Report: A Jan. 12 start date would net players $100M extra

Kane

Many believe that the NHL and NHLPA will spin their wheels into mid-January to squeeze every drop out of a deal, but the Winnipeg Free Press’ Gary Lawless rolls out some significant pluses to getting something done sooner.

Specifically, this idea would result in an abbreviated season beginning on Jan. 12.

The bold print if you want to sell the idea to the union: Lawless reports that an extra $100 million could be on the table if the season began on Jan. 12 rather than the 19th.

Lawless confirmed with an anonymous NHL source that a deal would need to be in place by Thursday to hit the Jan. 12 target date.

That scenario wouldn’t just put more money in play. It would enable a 52-game season, which means a little more hockey - and the opportunity for a streaking sniper to shoot for the 50 goals in 50 games milestone.

Again, much of the conjecture indicates that both sides are willing to see this to the bitter end. If true, this scenario could just make the subterfuge that much more frustrating.

Still, it’s nice to be able to spell out the tangible benefits to getting a deal done this week.