The ball is now in the players' court. The NHL injected life into a stagnant labor negotiation Tuesday, making a surprise offer to the NHL Players' Association that was highlighted by a 50-50 split in hockey-related revenue and a full 82-game season starting Nov. 2. The NHLPA will hold a 5 p.m. ET conference call to discuss the offer with the players' negotiating committee and the union's executive board. But a source told ESPNNewYork.com that it is "doubtful" that the union will formally respond Tuesday. "(The offer) is not short, and there were some explanatory documents that we still have to wade through,'' NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr told the assembled media at the union head office. Source: ESPN
