from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

If the union is willing to counter while working off the framework the NHL provided Tuesday, then there’s a reasonable expectation the real negotiations have begun -- finally -- and we could have hockey this season.

If the NHLPA responds by completely rejecting the offer, we’re in for a deep freeze.

It’s pretty clear from Donald Fehr’s letter to players Tuesday night, obtained by TSN colleague Bob McKenzie that the union boss isn’t overly thrilled with the NHL’s latest offer, although he does admit the league has taken a step forward.

My sense is that the league’s top dogs were anxious about how Fehr would spin the offer to his membership, which is entirely why, in my opinion, the league took the unprecedented step Wednesday morning of publishing the entire proposal. It wasn't so much about fans being able to read it -- although that doesn’t hurt in the PR war -- but really so that the 700-odd NHL players could view the league’s original version and not just what they’re being told by Fehr.

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