from Chip Alexander of Canes Now,

The Canes took to the ice today for the first full informal skate at Raleigh Center Ice and the Staals -- of the Carolina variety -- were all in attendance. Eric Staal, the Canes captain, and Jared Staal joined Jordan for about 50 minutes of skating.

The turnout at RCI was pretty impressive. Goaltenders Cam Ward and Justin Peters were there. Defensemen Tim Gleason, Jay Harrison, Joe Corvo, Justin Faulk and Joni Pitkanen. Forwards Jiri Tlusty, Chad LaRose, Anthony Stewart, Andreas Nodl, Pat Dwyer and Zac Dalpe. And, of course, the Staal brothers....

But with the CBA talks now in "recess," no one can say for sure if there will be a lockout come Sept. 15, when the CBA expires. It's all a guessing game for now as to how and when the two sides will be able to agree on a new CBA.

"I'm still optimistic," Jordan Staal said. "There's still a very good chance to make it happen. I know we're getting close to camp time but I think there's still a very good opportunity to start the season.

"I know both sides are trying hard. It seems like we've hit a little bit of a roadblock right now. But hopefully we can get through it and get talking again. Just find a way to get this thing started."

"I think it's going to get worse before it gets better," Gleason said of CBA talks. "I think we have the right guy in the position. I think he's patient. He knows what the players want. And he's been through if before, which is even better. Everybody has confidence in him."

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