from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

For all the rhetoric and posturing from both sides Wednesday, and the anger belted out on Twitter by players, the reality is that both sides are closer to a deal now thanks to the NHLPA’s newest proposal.

A lot closer? No. But closer nonetheless.

That might come as a shock to the players inside the bargaining room Wednesday that saw the NHL shred many elements of it, leaving them red-faced as they left the meeting.

Truth is, at least from my vantage point, the players’ latest offer had a true impact Wednesday. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now for the players, who believe they put their best foot forward only to have the league stomp on it. But in fact, the NHLPA’s willingness for the first time to base a framework on the percentage of hockey-related revenue and not a guaranteed dollar amount was a monumental shift.

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