from Michael Grange of Sportsnet,

But this crew, hand-picked by Bettman in advance of Wednesday's board of governors meeting, will almost certainly deliver a message consistent with what the players have been hearing all along.

That league revenue is growing, but the majority of clubs aren't profitable and cutting players costs is one way to help that.

That the league is very close to cancelling games beyond those cancelled through Dec. 14th already.

That the best case for league revenues for a season beginning sometime in the next month may be $2.4-billion, or $1.1-billion less than what would have been without a labour stoppage.

That by failing to get a deal done in November to preserve an 82-game season, the players and the NHLPA may end up costing themselves $500-million this season alone - and counting.

That the $211-million in 'make whole' money that the owners have guaranteed in their last offer is on the verge of being pulled off the table.

That the best case going forward is that league revenues for a 2013-14 season would recover to 2011-12 revenues, with perhaps 2.5 per cent growth, or about $3.38-billion (compared with revenues in the $3.6-to-$3.8-billion range they were projected to hit without a lockout).

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