NHL needs to make 'substantial offer' to unite women's pro hockey

The Professional Women's Hockey Players Association and Premier Hockey Federation are set to meet at the request of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Sportsnet's Jeff Marek first reported the news, saying the NHL's intention is to attempt to bring the two sides together. 

TSN also reported during NHL trade deadline day that all three parties will gather in New York on Wednesday.

The meeting comes amidst growing momentum for the sport. 

The Canadian women's gold-medal victory over the U.S., was Canada's most-watched event of the Beijing Olympics. The PWHPA also partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins to stage a Canada-U.S. rematch on March 12. A total of 10 NHL teams have also joined forces with the PWHPA in a similar fashion, including the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

In January, the PHF, which has also collaborated with NHL teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, announced a commitment from its board of governors to invest $25 million US into direct payments and benefits to the league's players over the next three years. 

Meanwhile, reports in recent weeks have indicated that significant progress has been made toward the launch of a new league in association with the PWHPA. Over the past three seasons the PWHPA has staged the Dream Gap Tour, a barnstorming women's hockey series designed to showcase the sport as the association ultimately seeks to establish a sustainable professional league for its players.

Women's hockey had long sought NHL involvement in a professional league, and direct communication with Bettman. But once the NHL made clear last year that it was not in a position to operate a women's league in the foreseeable future, the PWHPA focused its attention to developing