Bettman: NHL players have to decide to pay now or later

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman warned players Wednesday they are likely going to have to pay one way or another to make up for the league's projected lost revenue whenever the 2020-21 season gets underway. Speaking on a Sports Business Journal panel, Bettman stressed the NHL is not attempting to reopen the collective bargaining agreement some five months after it was extended. The question then becomes, Bettman said, whether it's in their best interest to pay the money back in the short-term — by deferring a higher percentage of their salaries as the NHL has raised in discussions — or face the potential of having the salary cap stay flat over the remainder of the six-year deal.