from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Social media has raised the emotional awareness of the NHL lockout in all kinds of ways. Labour negotiations are not really intended to be covered as play-by-play vehicles. But when they are — and they are now — you get the instant emotion, the disappointment, the tears, the threats, the anger the angst from those involved and from those following from afar. The impact of this lockout, when it ends, will be far more severe because of the manner in which it has been covered.

- With the two sides so polarized, perspective is hard to come by. But steadfastly I maintain, and have maintained, I am anti-owner, anti-player, and pro hockey. I love the game and remain disgusted by the labour histrionics.

- What the NHL says and what it does aren’t often the same things: I’ve never seen Gary Bettman as upset and defeated as he was on Thursday night and yet there have been no games cancelled beyond this Friday. Bettman must believe he is closer to a deal than he says and, if not, why haven’t games been cancelled?

- Yes, Donald Fehr did a wonderful job with the Major League Baseball players, but that doesn’t mean he can, or will, do the same for the NHL players. Bo Schembechler was a brilliant football man, a washout in baseball. Not everything translates sport to sport.

a few more hockey notes...