The NHL's Oct. 16 CBA proposal to "save the 82-game season" has been dissected by the NHLPA, and both sides are bringing a heavy cast of characters into Thursday's meeting in Toronto to discuss that proposal and/or a counter-proposal from the union.
The meeting was pushed back slightly to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18, after a lengthy internal NHLPA conference call.
According to multiple reports, including TSN's Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger, the sides are bringing their heavies, including:
NHL: Gary Bettman and Bill Daly, as well as Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, and Calgary Flames owner Murray Edwards.
NHLPA: Donald Fehr and Steven Fehr, as well as a group of 18 players that includes Sidney Crosby, Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Eric Stall, Jonathan Toews.
Quite a crew. And most likely, quite a standoff will ensue. For a not surprising but ominous tone, we quote Dreger:
As bad as the players think Tuesdays NHL proposal was, some owners think they offered too much.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 18, 2012
Sometimes that's a sign of a solid compromise on the path toward agreement. But in these two warring parties' case ... not likely.