I think way more was made of this than necessary-the article didn't say a deal was done-only that a large part has been worked out and that a deal is near. Helene Elliot has her stuff together and she's been in the business a long time. She is, btw, being awarded for her hockey writing during the HOF induction weekend this year.
We know that neither the NHL or NHLPA is going to admit to anything on record until a deal is officially announced-how bad would it look if god forbid they did, then something went wrong and the entire thing blew up. Most likely that would never happen, but they can't afford anymore bad press right now.