from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,

If he wanted to, Gary Bettman could end the lockout by the time you finish reading this.

Not just because he is commissioner, but because he -- and the NHL -- have already won. Look at what is happening. The league is getting its 50/50 split. It is getting term limits on contracts. Both sides are haggling over length, but we know it is going to happen.

The $300-million "make-whole" provision may be off the table for now, but anyone who has ever negotiated anything knows that doesn't mean it's out of play for good. It probably depends on the length of the collective bargaining agreement.

NHL teams are still very curious to hear what the transition rules are going to be, but if you look at it objectively, compare the expired agreement to what we're looking at now. The biggest gains are being made by the NHL. There is no other way to look at it. For the second time in eight years, your winner, on paper, will be the owners.

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