from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,

1. Ready for some labour? Next Wednesday is a huge day with the NHL board of governors meeting in New York City. Will commissioner Gary Bettman reserve the most important part of the get-together for the highest levels only? Each team has one governor and at least two alternates with one exception -- the Phoenix Coyotes, who only have the latter. In at least one meeting during the last lockout, there was a point where Bettman told all the alternates to leave, so only the true decision-maker for each franchise would be in there with him.

2. According to the NHL's Official Guide and Record Book, 25 of the 29 governors are owners. The exceptions are Josh Kroenke of the Colorado Avalanche (he is the owner's son), Tim Leiweke of the Los Angeles Kings, Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils and David Morehouse of the Pittsburgh Penguins. That could be the core group for the biggest decision of the commissioner's career.

3. Obviously, some governors have more power than others. Case in point, Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs flexing his muscles as board chairman. The NHL and the Winnipeg Jets denied this story, but there is no question that a) negotiations between the NHL and NHL Players' Association take on a more frigid atmosphere when Jacobs is there and b) newer owners definitely feel as if they are expected to smile and keep quiet.

4. There is a real sense that if this gets settled (and it's going on longer than I thought it would), it will be at the absolute last minute. So this becomes a game of figuring out when the deadline really is. The NHL wants the players to think that day is coming soon. However, I just can't imagine the league wants to see "Merry Christmas, they've cancelled the season!" headlines.

read on for more thoughts...