What we're hearing out of New York City today with regards to the CBA talks is all positive.
That is, as Mathieu Schneider, who is on the negotiating committee said, "alot" of agreement on a variety of issues, many of which concern player safety and also on drug testing which has been long overdue.
The NHL and the NHLPA should have had more comprehensive drug testing through the season and playoffs. It now appears that will happen in this next CBA.
What I like best is that what we need to come from these talks is positive "traction" to launch from this stage to the much tougher, core economic stage that would follow next week.
I still think the NHL will cancel the entire month of October by next Thursday. It's impossible to get a new CBA and the start of the regular season off in time, allow for training camps, get players back from Europe, etc.
Anyone who thinks that just because the two sides agree on non-economic it will propel agreement on the nuts 'n bolts economic is very wrong.
The two sides remain sharply divided on revenue sharing.
I had a veteran player tell me today that he was stunned at Eklund's optimism because the feeling among most players is that at least one month is going to be missed and that there is nothing out there from either side on the issues of economics that you could possibly spin as optimistic.
So understand this: NOTHING that happens this weekend will end the lockout. It will only provide impetus to get both sides back to real bargaining on core economic issues or ... it will prolong the lockout deep into the fall or winter where we lose the Winter Classic or even the season.
Right now, I like the former.
That said, unlike Eklund, my optimism is only that we get both sides back together again. But I still see October as history.
Here's more from CSNPhilly.com on the NHL and FLyers and we'll see you at Phantoms camp this weekend:
click here 
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