CHICAGO – NHL players are getting a better grasp on the issues at hand as the union braces for negotiations with owners on a new collective bargaining agreement.

For the 53 players in attendance, Tuesday was an educational day. They broke off into three groups to study the issues and share their ideas as they try to hammer out a strategy before formal talks begin.

“We had a lot of good discussions about where our priorities are,” Washington Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer said. “That’s kind of why it broke down into the groups, just trying to educate ourselves a little bit more. A smaller group, it’s going to be talk and share ideas.”