Union Will Pay NHL Players

NHL players will begin receiving pay from the players’ association, which will amount to $29 million to $44 million if the lockout lasts the entire season.

The 730 union players, who have been locked out since Sept. 15, will receive $10,000 for November and another $10,000 for December. Each player receives the same amount.

“As a result of the ongoing owners’ lockout, the NHLPA Executive Committee has announced a player stipend plan which consists of an initial 24-month schedule and monthly payments,” Ted Saskin, the NHLPA’s senior director, said in a statement.

Over the 24 months, those payments would amount to $130,000 to $240,000 per player. Players, who are paid only during the season, have missed three paychecks to date. The money comes from a variety of union sources, including dues and licensing fees.

The owners also have a safety net, with a $300-million lockout fund.

The union will hold a meeting of about 200 players in early December. Union leaders are believed to be preparing a proposal that will be made to the league, also in early December.

The league will have a general managers’ meeting Dec. 2.

The 10-week-old lockout has wiped out 282 games through Wednesday. The two sides have not met since Sept. 9, and no new talks are scheduled.

-- Chris Foster