This was the fourth meeting since bargaining commenced June 29 in New York. Donald Fehr, the executive director of the NHLPA, said the sides plan to meet Friday at the NHLPA offices and several times next week.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Sept. 15.

“They’ve been positive,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said of the meetings. “They’ve been constructive. They’ve been cordial.”

The NHL was represented Tuesday by Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan, Boston Bruins Owner and Governor Jeremy Jacobs, Minnesota Wild Owner and Governor Craig Leipold, and Calgary Flames Chairman and Governor Murray Edwards, as well as counsel.

The NHLPA was represented by Fehr, Mathieu Schneider, who is the special assistant to the executive director, and legal counsel. The players in attendance were David Backes (St. Louis Blues), Brad Boyes (New York Islanders), Chris Campoli, B.J. Crombeen (Tampa Bay Lightning), Mathieu Darche, Manny Malhotra (Vancouver Canucks), Steve Montador (Chicago Blackhawks), Jeff Skinner (Carolina Hurricanes), Jason Spezza (Ottawa Senators), Kevin Westgarth (Los Angeles Kings) and Daniel Winnik. Campoli, Darche and Winnik are all unrestricted free agents.

“The parties are approaching this in an appropriate and business-like manner and have got meetings scheduled going out into the future,” Fehr said. “I wouldn’t draw any particular significance to it beyond that, but you have to have a series of meetings.”

Bettman and Fehr both said there is still a lot of work to do, but both also expressed optimism about the meetings thus far.

“The process is moving forward in a constructive manner,” Bettman said.

Fehr added that some of the issues discussed Tuesday involved “day-to-day player working conditions” such as travel, but neither side delved deep into the details on what is being discussed.

“I don’t think it’s constructive for the process for me to be characterizing whether or not things are moving in a certain manner or what our proposals or demands are,” Bettman said. “The best work that will be done in this process will be done in the conference rooms and across the negotiating table.”

Malhotra and Campoli, who spoke to the media on behalf of the players, both said the meetings have been business-like.

“The lines of communication are open,” Malhotra said.

“There are a lot of players involved. Guys are making their points and, as a union, that’s what you want; it’s great” Campoli added.

Campoli also said he hasn’t noticed any change in the way teams are operating this summer despite the fact that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in a little more than two months.

“It has been business as usual I think,” he said. “There are some guys still out there (in free agency), but teams have signed a lot of guys. I think the League made comments that they were going to continue to operate that way and teams are building their clubs. I haven’t seen a difference. The UFA market is pretty status quo.”

“As long as things continue business as usual, that’s good,” added Fehr.

Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Gabriel Landeskog

Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Patrice Bergeron

Lady Byng Trophy (Skill/Sportsmanship)
Brian Campbell

Masterton Trophy (Perseverance, Dedication)
Max Pacioretty

General Manager of the Year
Doug Armstrong (St. Louis Blue)

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Henrik Lundqvist

Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Erik Karlsson

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player to his team)
Evgeni Malkin

Art Ross Trophy (League leader in points)
Evgeni Malkin

Ted Lindsay Trophy (NHL’s outstanding player voted by players)
Evgeni Malkin

Jack Adams Award (Top Head Coach)
Ken Hitchcock

NHL Foundation Award (Community Service)
Mike Fisher

William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest goals scored against min. 25 games)
Brian Elliott
Jaroslav Halak

Announced:
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Gabriel Landeskog
Adam Henrique

Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Patrice Bergeron
David Backes
Pavel Datsyuk

Lady Byng Trophy (Skill/Sportsmanship)
Brian Campbell
Jordan Eberle
Matt Moulson

Masterton Trophy (Perseverance, Dedication)
Daniel Alfredsson
Joffrey Lupul
Max Pacioretty

General Manager of the Year
Doug Armstrong (St. Louis Blue)
David Poile (Nashville Predators)
Dale Tallon (Florida Panthers)

To be announced:

Wednesday, April 25
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Henrik Lundqvist
Jonathan Quick
Pekka Rinne

Thursday, April 26
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Zdeno Chara
Erik Karlsson
Shea Weber 

Friday, April 27
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player to his team)
Henrik Lundqvist
Evgeni Malkin
Steven Stamkos

Monday, April 30
Jack Adams Award (Top Head Coach)
Ken Hitchcock
Paul MacLean
John Tortorella 

NHL Foundation Award (Community Service)
Mike Fisher
John-Michael Liles
Matt Moulson

• Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Pavel Datsyuk are the three finalists for the Selke Trophy NHL Award which is the award for the league’s best defensive forward.
• Brian Campbell, Jordan Eberle and Matt Moulson are the three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy NHL Award. This award goes to a player who had an excellent year while still exhibiting “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.” That’s typically measured by a players ability to stay out of the penalty box.
• Beau Schmitz has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Schmitz will earn $50,000 per season in the minors or $525,000 per season at the NHL level. He will also get a $50,000 signing bonus. Schmitz had 54 points and 91 penalty minutes in 62 OHL games in 2011-12.
• Columbus Dispatch reports that Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson wants his team to have a head coach that will raise expectations. ”We need somebody who can raise the bar,” Howson said. “The expectations have been too low around here, and that goes not only for the players and coaches, but for management and everybody else. We have to raise the bar, and the coach has to push the players toward that.” Interim coach Todd Richards appears to be in the running for the head coaching position, but the Blue Jackets are still weighing their options.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Peters will forfeit $2,905.41. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 16:30 of the third period. Peters was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking and a game misconduct.