I got tired of using the same old Bettman face picture so here's one of him and Matthew Perry.
Hey guys, things may be happening in CBA negotiations. Uh, again.
I know we’ve been here before but, if you’re like me (and, for your sake, I hope you’re not), you’ve been refreshing Twitter pretty consistently since this whole lockout mess started. This often leads to seeing the same thing reported by 9 different people and, for the most part, this has been rather soul crushing considering the lack of (good) news that has been delivered to us these past few months. However, this may (I cannot italicize “may” enough) be starting to look up. We’ve had a few tweeters tweeting that there may be reason for optimism for those still hoping for an NHL season. After a marathon mediation session yesterday that saw mediator Scot Beckenbaugh traveling back and forth between the NHL offices and the NHLPA’s hotel for twelve hours (and Beckenbaugh deserves so much credit for not only having to put up with these ass clowns for 12 hours but also encouraging talks to continue), there may be some encouraging news coming soon.
Or this could all fall apart like it always does. For some reason, I feel this is more likely.
Anyway, here’s what People Who Know Things have to say.
How it began
Mediator has left NHL office, now headed back to NHLPA hotel. And yes, I’m sorry for the play by play.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 5, 2013
NHL (Bettman,Daly,others) has arrived at NHLPA hotel to meet. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) January 5, 2013
Optimism begins
Small group with NHL, PA and mediator — who must think there is reason to meet face to face again.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) January 5, 2013
This could still derail but sources feeling positive at this point… Stay tuned
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 5, 2013
Well, if its a close as we’re sensing it could be a very “good day” according to source.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 5, 2013
I take this to mean that, if a deal is signed, it would be awful for the players. A good day for the players = #dregerface
NHLPA release calls it a “small group” meeting. I believe this is the first time any meeting has been held at the players’ hotel. — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 5, 2013
PA hotel is buzzing in anticipation. Down to minimal issues…but, still not done. And definition of “minimal” may differ. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 5, 2013
Issues still include cap in 13\14, max contract and variance. So, “minimal” may not be best word unless significant movement from both. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 5, 2013
Pressure cooker day. Traction in talks juxtaposed with NHLPA re-arming itself with disclaimer hammer this evening… — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 5, 2013
And Friedge leaves us with with this.
Still work to be done…movement, but we’ve seemed close before. All we can do is hope this will be different
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 5, 2013
Ooh, Kypreos card read good.
The latest from NYC from #NHL #NHLPA meeting is mediator has help bridge gap.Getting closer on key issues though still plenty of work 2 do
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) January 5, 2013
Told the pension issue was resolved a while ago. For all you Actuaries….it will be a Defined Benefits pension, funded by the players.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) January 5, 2013
Seems to be more optimism on the NHL side than the PA side, which is interesting. It has been PA saying they’re close, NHL saying not.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) January 5, 2013
I knew it. Jeff O’Neill was Eklund the whole time! Also, I don’t believe him.
BREAKING- #NHLLOCKOUT is over. Camp opens Jan 12. 50 game season. #lockout
— Jeff O’Neill (@odognine2) January 5, 2013
Today’s Mathieu Dandenault Special…
Nothing official yet that I’ve heard, but several sources have said it’s done. Let’s hope this is Official! — Bret Hedican (@BretHedican) January 5, 2013
And now back to People Who Know Things…
NHL player (not in bargaining room) says he believes “talks are going well.” … — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 5, 2013
Oh really?
Text from plugged in player confirms things are close but hedges with “you never know.”
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 5, 2013
Yay, clutter!
Told more players will be joining the negotiation process. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) January 5, 2013
Pretty solid representation of how I’m feeling right now. (Thanks to Josh Gold-Smith for this)
This is almost definitely true. Probably should have seen this coming.
In case you’re wondering, I think the NHL is bluffing optimism again so they can blame Donald Fehr and the players for “not wanting a deal”
— Andrew DeWitt (@DeWittCBS) January 5, 2013
Oh. Crap.
Will say this, not hearing of this optimism from #nhlpa side. Haven’t all day. #lockout
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) January 5, 2013
As I implied a few hours ago, simply splitting difference (if that) on remaining issues was not likely to cut it for PA. Much work ahead.
— Larry Brooks(@NYP_Brooksie) January 5, 2013
Well, looks like we’re going to be here for a while. Get settled in for a night of refreshing Twitter, everybody. I leave you all, for once, with some optimism.
It sounds like players have agreed to 10-year CBA with mutual out after Year 8. Were previously looking for the out after Year 7.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) January 5, 2013
