Federal mediator Scot Beckenbaugh (right), seen here with fellow mediator George Cohen during the NBA labour negotiations in October 2011, helped push the NHL and NHLPA together to end the lockout. (Jason Szenes/Reuters/Files)
NEW YORK - All the NHL and the NHL Players' Association needed to get together was a nudge.
That came from mediator Scot Beckenbaugh during lengthy meetings with both sides that started last Monday, continued all week and came to a head Saturday when he pushed the two sides back to the table to make a deal.
Beckenbaugh wouldn't have done that if he didn't feel the NHL and the NHLPA were closing in on a CBA. It was no wonder commissioner Gary Bettman thanked him.
