Based on what I've been hearing through close contacts I've got, it looks 50/50, IMO. It's not as close as some people like to think and not as impossible as some like to think. The meeting was basically to discuss the hybrid luxury tax/cap system, but the real kicker for the players was the concept where teams had salary floors to encourage spending, yet iin return a player dispersal draft (as rumoured here before) which left them pessimistic. I can't really blame all those high n' mighty Leaf, Red Wing, Flyers and Avs players not wanting to be cap casualties for their team and subsequently being drafted by a team not of their choice. Unhappy players in locations they didn't choose to join is a bit counter-productive.
Some, like Go Flames Go, will said "Tough! Gary Roberts will go to Nashville whether he likes it or not and Brendan Shanahan will land in Phoenix." Go Flames Go might like this idea actually because it can bring a high-priced casualty or something to his team if their payroll is down low. First things first, the teams have to have their rosters signed and those UFA's will negotiate with whoever can afford them in the end. But the NHLPA then thought it over, and decided to see how they can work around a dispersal system so it's back to the table in New York tomorrow or Friday. But a wrinkle has been thrown in because Ted Saskin's mother's passing calls for a religious rite. Saskin, being Jewish, must convene with his family for 7 days. Not sure what the Jewish traditional name it is for this, but they obviously need him. Yet the NHL needs him to be there as well. I hope they don't decide to bring in Goodenow as his replacement!!! Just add in Mike Gartner. Anyway, Saksin can't really go to New York, it seems. So, they may have to reschedule things a little, change locations or just do without him for the next week.
Either way, it's progress that they didn't really take a step backward with this meeting because although there were some cap issues and the disperal thingy, the players have not given up their efforts to comprimise and likewise for the NHL. I really hope this thing can be worked out but it seems the players will have to accept this hybrid thing if they hope to get a season going. I just see it as a watershed moment that I believe in my heart can be figured out because as many reports have said, there is major pressure on both sides to get the deal done. I'm an optimist when it comes to these negotiation situations, but it is feasable that by next week we could see the talks degenerate into the armageddon, or a new CBA that will see the season (of 36-40 games) get going with the teams having a mere 2-3 weeks to prepare for what would certainly be a sloppy reg. season. Maybe shortening the first couple rounds to best-of-5 or making it more fair by adding 2 teams per conf. for the playoffs. My concept for this more wide open playoff:
3-10 (best of 5)
4-9
5-8
6-7
Bye: 1,2
Repool:
1-6 (best of 7)
2-5
3-4
Repool:
2-3 (best of 5)
Conf. finals >stanley cup finals as normal best of 7's
Anyway, take my rumours for what they are but it's been all secret stuff that it seems like most media outlets are having a tough time grasping. Eklund just seems to be bringing up concepts that have been discussed, but making his own wild conclusions to them. But don't be surprised if the New York plans are changed due to Saskin's predicament, THAT will become news worthy soon enough.