from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,

It's going to be interesting to see the NHL's reaction to the NHLPA's next proposal, which may be delivered Friday.

On Wednesday, agent Anton Thun told the radio show Prime Time Sportsthat he saw Oct. 11 - the scheduled start of the season - as a more important date than Sept. 15, when the CBA expires.

It seemed innocuous because Thun, unlike most, was generally positive and optimistic. Csnphilly.com's Tim Panaccio wrote on Thursday that three agents told him something similar. Some league and team executives didn't like that message, because it threatens lucrative (at least in some markets) pre-season games, and indicates their deadline isn't being taken seriously. Players are not paid for exhibition games, but still get 57 per cent of the revenues under the current CBA.

For his part, Thun said it was his own opinion and not any kind of NHLPA/agent messaging.

But it makes sense: Oct. 11 is a true pressure point for both sides. But I found the reaction interesting, because it illustrates the tension bubbling under the surface.

If the important games get missed, do the NHL's offers get worse?

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