Getting the NHL from the lockout stage back to bringing the nets out of storage is down to a few days, if it's going to happen at all. (Associated Press file)
By 11:59 p.m. (ET) Wednesday night, we're going to know if the players think a deal is getting done.
That is the deadline for the NHLPA to file its Disclaimer of Interest in court. And, if the union sees an end to this gong show, the chances decrease, significantly, that the filing gets made. If things devolve into a Fugitive-style train wreck, well, the lawyers get even busier.
Tweeters have asked several questions about this process. Here are some answers:
Commissioner Bettman did not want to list how many outstanding issues remain, but there still appear to be some core economic differences.
That would be escrow, cap in 2013-14, that kind of stuff. But, it's clear that both sides are seriously trying -- the rhetoric is gone and a lot of work is being done. There is probably a lot more contact between the two parties than we realize.
But before we hit the season's drop-dead date, we have another deadline -- this one belonging to the players.
Do they think enough progress is being made to forego this maneuver?
Tune in tonight. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
Elliotte Friedman
Elliotte joined CBC in October 2003 and is a commentator with Hockey Night in Canada.
As part of his duties with Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman hosts Inside Hockey, a feature airing every Saturday during Scotiabank Hockey Tonight that tells the stories of the people and places that shape the game of hockey. Always committed to giving viewers the inside story, fans call follow him throughout the regular season and playoffs on Twitter.
