Tom Gulitti via twitter: Gulitti was told there was progress, but it’s still at a delicate stage. Similar situations before in talks that didn’t work out.
Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The players left the meetings around midnight last night. One player texted: “There was certainly traction. But I don’t want to say more.” “Cautious Optimism” is a word being used by many. Bill Daly and Steve Fehr stood side-by-side addressing the media after the talks had finished. Penguins billionaire owner Ron Burkle “shined brightly in talks.” Burkle had been talking with Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby and Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, over the past couple weeks.
NHLPA.com: Players in New York yesterday: Craig Adams, David Backes, Michael Cammalleri, Sidney Crosby, B.J. Crombeen, Mathieu Darche, Shane Doan, Ron Hainsey, Shawn Horcoff, Jamal Mayers, Manny Malhotra, Andy McDonald, Ryan Miller, George Parros, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis, Jonathan Toews , Kevin Westgarth.
John Shannon via twitter: Sidney Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, and Mario Lemieux were also at the hotel last night.
Allan Walsh via twitter: Walsh talked with a GM who said that the majority of owners want a deal, and that Bettman blew it with their first 43/57 offer. Bettman, Jacobs, Batterman have no respect for the players and general managers, and that this lockout is a wasted opportunity to advance the game. One big complaint from the GM is that most owners don’t understand the nuances of the CBA. Most GMs see Bettman as the enemy. The GM used Lou Lamoriello as an example. Look at what happened after the Devils signed Kovalchuk: arbitration, big fine, loss of draft picks. Lamoriello was involved in a lot of negotiations during the last lockout, where is he now?
John Shannon via twitter: There are Board of Governors meetings today, and on Thursday/Friday the NHL and NHLPA will be in front of the Quebec Labor Board.