NHL, NHLPA scheduled to have face-to-face meetings around 5 p.m.

January 1, 2013 - 2:18 PM

The first day of the year could be a long one for the NHL and its players' association.

The sides were scheduled to begin small group meetings and conference calls at noon today to discuss the counteroffer presented by the players Monday. Full in-person bargaining is expected to begin around 5 p.m.

Time is running out to salvage part of the 2012-13 season.

"What we've said is we need to drop the puck by Jan. 19 if we're going to play a 48-game season," Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday. "We don't think it makes sense to play a season that is any shorter than that."

---John Vogl

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John Vogl

John Vogl has been covering the Sabres since 2002-03, an era that has included playoff runs, last-place finishes and three ownership changes. The award-winning writer is the Buffalo chapter chairman for the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

@BuffNewsVogl | jvogl@buffnews.com

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Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, is in his sixth season covering the Buffalo Sabres. He is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and can vouch that exposed flesh freezes instantly when walking in downtown Winnipeg in January.

@BNHarrington | mharrington@buffnews.com

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