51.   In the last two negotiating sessions, commissioner Gary Bettman and union boss Bob Goodenow have not discussed the payroll tax issue.

52.   Notat and other union bosses want a shorter workweek signed into law.

53.   That also might explain why union boss Bob Goodenow wanted to get away from the talks with the NHL for a while for some internal discussions with his group.

54.   That was more than could be said of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union boss Bob Goodenow.

55.   Union boss Klaus Zwickel called the new offer laughable.

56.   Union bosses did not immediately return phone calls.

57.   Union bosses scoffed.

58.   Union bosses talked tough, hinting that there could be more disruptive strikes like those that paralyzed France late last year.

59.   Union boss Bill Morris said he welcomed the offer and had contacted the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to arrange a meeting between the two sides.

60.   Union bosses had said they could launch a new wave of strikes if they were not satisfied with the results of the talks.