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Hope. Tuesday's Meeting Holds Great Potential...Players in Europe..

October 14, 2012, 3:57 PM ET [49 Comments]
Eklund
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More have come out to confirm Tuesday's meeting between the sides, and while everyone is afraid to jinx it, there's a growing cautious optimism.

I just talked to a player over in Europe who heard the same thing...There appears to be some reason for hope heading into Tuesday. "I was told by my agent today that the next two weeks are going to determine it all...and he said he is hearing great things regarding the NHLPA's coming proposal..."

I talked to a few players this week in Europe who asked some people close to the negotiations about timeframes and if they should get more permanent housing in Europe were told to "wait for what was coming this week."

There are many theories about why players who are playing in Europe are playing in Europe, but most of them aren't going over there for the money. Most have headed over there to get in shape, a few over the past week told me they wouldn't have gone at all, but they were told there may be a very short training camp and these players were afraid they wouldn't be able to get it going quick enough without some game action.

Then there are player like Bobby Ryan who isn't going to play in any European league where he would take a job from a guy who could really use it. Bobby Ryan has gained a ton of respect from many out there for this stance as he is actually treating this like a real union...showing solidarity for other hockey players...they raised us right in Cherry Hill, NJ Bobby!

Think about it..when teachers from a top school district go on strike they would never just leave and take jobs at another school district from lesser experienced teachers...I talked to a guy yesterday in Edmonton who said there is a group of guys playing in a league outside of Edmonton who ALL would be in Europe right now were it not for the NHL players over there. And these are the kinds of hockey players who need a job.

It is a tough call, and I am not going to judge...but it is important to remember there are several sides to this story and it continues to fascinate me how much further the impact of the lockout stretches...For every 1 NHL player there are so many more people being affected at a level of "will I or won't I be able to support my family this year."

I am not blaming either side for this. The Players want to be playing. The owners want to be playing. I am simply writing this because not an hour goes by in my day where I don't get an email, phone call, or text from someone who is asking when the lockout will end NOT because the are hockey fans but because they have kids and a mortgage and they feel so helpless right now.

All-Time Teams Update...

We are getting the next round of games together...Three games..Edmonton/Pittsburgh, NY Rangers/ LA Kings, and Leafs/Wings...stay tuned for game times...
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