Lockout update

There were several key developments -- boy, there's an understatement -- that occurred over the weekend and yesterday. On Thursday, both sides stomped their feet on the ground and said they wouldn't be talking anymore and appeared more than willing to let the clock run out on the season. On Sunday, the federal mediators from the US -- which, it turns out, have been in contact with both sides throughout the lockout -- sat down with the two sides -- sans Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow -- for about 5 hours to try to get something done. The result was the usual: nada. Yesterday brought word that the NHL had set a news conference for today, at which time Bettman was expected to officially cancel the season. Today comes word that last night the news conference was pushed back to Wednesday. This was the result of a secret, late night meeting between Bill Daly and Ted Saskin. At this meeting the NHL moved off of linkage between salaries and revenues for the first time during the lockout and offered a straight cap. The NHLPA, in a stunning move, then countered this by saying they would be willing to accept a cap of $52 million, including the 24% salary rollback from their December 9 proposal and significant luxury tax penalties. The NHL flatly rejected this offer, saying they could not go above $40 million on a hard cap if there is no linkage to revenues. At this point, I'm fuming. Both sides have finally caved enough to get a deal done and they're still going to blow it. They've agreed to a a salary cap and are now just $12 million apart on the number. SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE, YOU MORONS!! The NHL can give in by setting the cap at $46-49 million, and the PA can give in by increasing the tax penalties even more. There is room to get this thing done and let both sides claim a victory. Will they take it? **I was away from the computer most of the weekend, so I didn't get any of this news until this morning. For more detailed updates, check here, here, and here.