So after mediation has finished.....
 

Neither side appears happy with anything and nothing new has come out of the whole mediation. Both sides are still too far apart and no progress towards a resolution has come from the meetings.

That being said, apparently Bettman has asked Fehr and PA for an owner-player only meeting. No Bettman or Fehr involved. They are considering the proposal.

https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/sta...76936396701696

That could get interesting.

Everything else had been unsuccessful so far, so this seems like a fine idea. At this point, there is very little reason not to try it. I'd think Fehr will take it to the membership and it will proceed.

Maybe the two sides did reach an agreement, and they are opting to further paint Fehr and Bettman as the villains by allowing it to get "resolved" in an owner-player only meeting.

A guy can dream, right?

It's because the owners can't stand Fehr and the players can't stand Bettman. Neither side is willing to bridge the gap when the proposal is coming from either man.

I hate the NHL.

I Love Hockey but I hate the business side of the sport!!

That sums it up perfectly for me too.

I went from sadness, to hope, to apathy, to anger, to apathy, right now back on anger.

Best quote I have heard about this "meeting" comes from our very own Dobber on twitter.

https://twitter.com/DobberHockey/sta...89424819441664

"Guys who negotiate billion-$ deals 4 a living want meeting w guys who play hockey to discuss a billion $ deal. Like taking candy from a baby"

No wonder Bettman proposed this meeting.

Interesting tweet from Steve Larmer

https://twitter.com/stevelarmer28/st...87671818477569

"If Gary wants just Owners and players to meet has he decertified the union all by himself?"

I'm hoping the owners go with this proposal:

Same deal as is on the table + you fire Fehr and we fire Bettman. Davidson become commissioner and Columbus gets an all-star game, draft & winter classic in the next five years as compensation.