Bill Wirtz isn`t predicting a players strike, yet he hasn`t discounted it.
”There could be a strike,” said the owner of the Blackhawks.
But Wirtz stressed that NHL owners aren`t even thinking about locking out the players.
”We have a wonderful relationship with the NHL Players Association,”
Wirtz said. ”Locking out isn`t our style. The players are fair-minded people, but they have to realize we`ve had a 50 percent increase in salaries the last two years.”
Progress was reported after a one-day session here Monday. But no settlement is in sight.
”It won`t be settled until the summer,” Wirtz said. ”People are too busy during the season.”
Turning 40: Unlike some people, the Rangers are glad they want be 39 forever. They got their 40th victory Tuesday night. The last time New York reached this level of success was in 1983-84, when the Rangers finished 42-29-9. Before that, they hadn`t played so well since 1972-73.
Two by two: The Hawks were penalized heavily last season, but now more than ever referees are putting them shorthanded by two men. After finding themselves on the short end of 31 five-on-three situations last season when they finished first overall in the NHL, the Hawks already have been in this tough spot 41 times this year.
Healing up: Besides the six Hawks recovering from injuries, another team player is out. John Roberston, the security guard at the Hawks` dressing-room door, has been recuperating from an illness at Loyola Hospital.