So no deal huh?  Like horking in germophobe Howie Mandel’s face, the NHLPA said no deal to the shiny briefcase full of cash yesterday.  The lockout continues.  To me the refusal of this latest proposal has more to do with the fact the league publically released its offer for all to see and less with what it actually entailed.  The union was also miffed that when they countered with not one but three proposals, all three were summarily dismissed in a matter of minutes.  ‘Oh that says the league isn’t interested in negotiating’, say the PA.  Well yeah, dummies.  You’re finally getting it.

     The NHL owners will never let a bunch of toothless hockey players dictate the type of agreement that will be signed.  If and when this thing does get settled, I guarantee it won’t be because the owners took the player’s offer.  That would be a sign of weakness.  And that is why Lord Bettman threw out three counter offers while he was on a coffee break.  He wants to keep them under his thumb.

      Look, hockey players aren’t working the line at GM.  They’re in a highly specialized career where success is dependent upon superior skill.  And that is their Achilles heel, because no matter how long this lockout goes, they can’t cry poor.  I’ve got one thing to say to Donald Fehr:  the NHLPA is not a union, so quit acting like one when it becomes convenient.  You can’t have it both ways.  Until they understand this, there will be no deal.