from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,

First, the NHL Players’ Association boss could work off the NHL’s proposal from Tuesday, understanding that the players could be painting themselves into a dangerous corner if they appear anything less than co-operative and interested in getting the season started, and start grinding away on the fine print and contractual language leading to an agreement by late next week.

Or, second, he could see the NHL offer as a sign of weakness, as an indication Gary Bettman is feeling the heat of both hockey fans and his owners.

And he might tell his membership that if they’re willing to play hardball and extend this labour battle, a big victory could be at hand.

Which way Fehr goes, nobody knows. Even the NHL is unsure. They felt they had a read on former union boss Bob Goodenow, and during Paul Kelly’s brief tenure before he was deposed as executive director, believed he was a person they could work with.

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