PR stunt. Both sides were taking major negative media attention.
So they plan one last meeting on, coincidentally, Hockey Day in Canada
Some heat deflected: "We gave it our last best shot. At least we really tried."
(why was the thread on this topic pulled off the boards? it's a legitimate perspective even if one doesn't agree with it)
Result will be an "agreement in principle" with nothing signed, but ala, still too late to be practical this season, but at least we know there will be a season next year, don't fret too much.
Then a few months later we'll hear that the agreement "in principle" has broken down and there's nothing signed. Season doen't open in October, finally, agreement reached December or January, as predicted by many all along.
Today is a smokescreen guys. There will be no season.
The winners will be the nhl and nhlpa (both, a little) by blunting the criticism this week and coming up with some major face saving.