The NHL and NHLPA met Tuesday, and for the first time in this negotiation, the sides met with nary a peep publicly about the negotiations. I think this is a great sign that things are finally getting done and there might be a deal in the near future.
September 13, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during a press conference at the Crowne Plaza Times Square. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE
By keeping things internal, the two sides are focusing on the issues and not the grandstanding and finger pointing that has accompanied previous discussions.
The sides will meet again today (Wednesday) and if things go well, we could have hockey back by US Thanksgiving.
Or, with one false move, it could go on and on. We’ll hope for the former and ignore the latter.