Newsday · Jan 19, 2019
Playoffs, collective bargaining agreement in Islanders future?
New York Islanders players celebrate after Islanders center Valtteri Filppula scores an overtime goal for a 2-1 win against the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Photo Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van DykeThe last thing the Islanders want to think about right now, on the cusp on a strong playoff push and amid rising optimism of maintaining consistent contender status from season to season, is labor unrest.
Which is exactly what Wednesday’s dual announcements from the NHL and the NHL Players Association after the sides met in Toronto that there would be no World Cup of Hockey tournament in 2020 had the potential to portend.