from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

After the league canceled its signature New Year’s celebration, it suddenly dropped word of its willingness to seek compromise.

If only Canceler-in-Chief Gary Bettman were as good at closing a deal as he is at momentarily changing the public conversation.

Throughout the owners’ lockout, which has reached 50 days and has claimed approximately one-quarter of the 2012-13 schedule, it is owners’ commissioner Bettman who has galvanized and unified the players far more than PA executive director Don Fehr, who has replaced Bob Goodenow as the straw man in this standoff.

By the way, you know what’s hilarious? The notion the players deserve blame for this, for having had the audacity to hire someone who would diligently represent their interests — that’s what’s hilarious.

Changing the public conversation may buy the league some temporary cover, but the effort becomes counter-productive the moment the players recognize they have been deceived.

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