from Eavid Ember of the Globe and Mail,

The new mix of voices and perspectives may be what is needed to revive the stalled talks, one owner source told The Globe and Mail on Monday.

A second owner source, who had been previously pessimistic about the prospects for a season, felt optimistic Monday. He said the owners’ ability to present “unfiltered” views could help.

“I’m hopeful,” the source said. “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen this week.”

A third owner source said the NHL has already offered a fair deal and that there is nothing more to cede to the players, and blamed Fehr for the impasse. The source envisions a repeat of 2004-05, the lost season. “I don’t think we’re playing,” the source said. “That’s the bottom line.”

While at least several owner sources feel some optimism, there remains an entrenched chasm in points of view. The players want the owners to yield more. The owners believe they have ceded enough.

“We feel we have given up a lot,” a fourth owner source told The Globe in late November just before the failed meditated talks.

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