ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun has learned from a source what the NHL has offered to do on matters of player contracts. Unedited, from source:

On main areas:

(1) offered to give back the year in ELS (NHL has moved from 2+3 to 2 and now back to 3).

(2) dropped/withdrew request for mutuality of Salary Arb rights but maintained request for extra year to Salary Arb, also offered to synchronize timing of Club-elected Salary Arbs as per NHLPA request.

(3) suggested willingness to be flexible of 5% contract variability proposal but maintained request for 5 year term limits on contracts.

(4) maintained request for extra year to free agency, but gave on UFA interview period and pointed out that 3 year EL deal plus 5 year max contract puts Player right into UFA for their third contract

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