It's all smoke screens and posturing from both parties, which is what the ridiculous thing about all of this.
If they honestly went down to the nitty gritty of trying to solve the 3 big factors of how to split HRR, player contracts and who pays for the lockout, then this lockout could be solved within a couple of hours... As long as both sides are willing to concede something to the other.
Seriously just get an independent arbitrator in there to meet half way between both sides and this thing could be solved in a day...
All this taking a break from taking a break is just ridiculous...
Make an ultimatum and say this is the best and final offer, you have 72 hours to take it or leave it, or we'll cancel the season. State it publicly then follow up on it, that might actually get the PA willing to accept something that might not entirely be to their liking, all of these empty threats of cancelling all games till Nov. 15, Winter Classic, Dec. 1, Dec. 15th... Jan 1st... Feb 1st... then season are all just empty threats. All that does is still give them a glimmer of hope to hold out for the best possible deal, so why would they want to cave when there's no urgency. Make it a reality for these players and offer them an ultimatum, if you don't accept this forget about a paycheck this year and go and feel free to look for other employment opportunities or alternatives, as we will not negotiate until say June 15th, that might actually accomplish something. When June rolls around now the players know it's for real, could they afford to miss a 2nd season? Fehr is the voice for the majority, when the players face the reality of missing a 2nd season worth of paychecks, Fehr would be ousted just as quickly as Goodenow and Kelly, when the players realize that their livelihoods are seriously in jeopardy.