from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

The key to finding a breakthrough in the NHL’s labor impasse revolves around the formula in which both sides can agree on to help honor existing player contracts.

Otherwise known as the "make whole" mechanism in the NHL’s offer from last Tuesday and the NHLPA’s No. 3 option Thursday, with both sides officially putting 50/50 on the table as a revenue split, the make-whole proposition holds the best possible chance at finding resolution.

If I’m a player, I’m asking leadership at the NHLPA to give this the best shot possible. And if I’m an owner, I do the same to the NHL’s lead negotiators.

The NHL is inviting the make-whole conversation to happen.

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