TORONTO (AP) – The possibility of a lockout by the 30 NHL team owners was the main topic of conversation at the players’ association meeting Friday

The union’s collective bargaining agreement with the league is set to expire Sept. 15.

There were 167 players at the Royal York Hotel sessions, and another 75 are expected when European players gather next month. These were the first full association meetings since it made proposals to the NHL on Oct. 1.

“We broke off into small groups so we could have some more in-depth discussion, in groups of 10 to 12 guys,” association president Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks said. “I had a lot of guys say they were surprised at how much we offered Oct. 1.

“They were surprised we went ahead and offered a 5 percent rollback (in salaries) and changes to the entry-level (salaries) and a luxury tax. There were a lot of guys who were concerned with how far we went and they certainly feel we’ve really tried hard to have a negotiation.”

The players will be unified, he said.

“Any time you deal with 700 players, there are a lot of different opinions but hockey players showed in 94 they’ll stick together,” Linden said. “Hockey players have shown they’re fair, too, if there is a solution in the middle somewhere but they’re willing to fight for what they believe in.”

A lockout in 1994-95 reduced the season from 82 games to 48. The worry this time is that at least a full season could be lost.

Linden said the players are serious about fighting a the hard salary cap system that the owners want.

No talks between players and owners were scheduled.

Meanwhile, players are beginning to look to Europe or a reborn World Hockey Association, which has plans to begin operations this year, as possible outlets to continue playing if the NHL shuts down.

“Guys are more educated, more informed,” Linden aid. “Guys are making plans.

“In 94, I made the mistake of staying by the phone. This time, I think guys will get on with their lives, whether that’s playing in Europe, or playing in the WHA, being a full-time dad or going back to school or whatever. I think guys will be more prepared than they were in 94.”

Bill Daly, executive vice-president and chief legal officer of the NHL, said the league first approached the players’ association five years ago suggesting there were serious economic problems and that modifications were urgently needed.

He said the players have mischaracterized the league’s stance.

“So, when I hear that the league is not willing to negotiate, and that it’s a take-it-or-leave-it situation, it is obvious to me the union is not telling people the full story,” he said.

AP-ES-06-11-04 2051EDT