Vancouver, Canada

A stalemate in the collective bargaining agreement talks between the NHL and players has arived but Vancouver Canucks forward Manny Malhotra isn't overly concerned.

A member of the NHLPA's bargaining committee, Malhotra looked at the stalemate as more of a negotiating tactic by the league rather than a real impasse in the talks.

"I guess it's a stalemate to a certain extent," Malhitra tolf the Vancouver Sun following a skate at UBC. "Whether it's a scare tactic or wanting to push us into a move has yet to be seen. Nothing changes from our side.

"We're pretty strong in knowing we put forth a very good proposal. When they said they put forth a meaningful proposal back in our direction, you kind of take that with a grain of salt."

The NHL offered the players a 14 percent reduction in their share of league revenues in an initial proposal. A second proposal, one NHL commissioner Gary Bettman claimed was meaningful, offered an 11 percent reduction.

With the league flexible and players not scheduled to receive paychecks until the season opens in mid-October, Malhotra is taking a wait and see approach.

"No meetings are planned," Malhotra said. "As they put it, they didn't see the need to speak any further until we're willing to accept more of their terms.

"As much as we've analyzed it, the media has analyzed it and the fans have looked at it, it's obviously not a viable option for us."