Those optimistic about a December start to the 2012-13 NHL season can start restructuring that belief to another alternative--positive alternative if possible.
The NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman have suggested a two week break from negotiations to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr. There has been no response from the player's association, but the request alone reveals a something about the progress on the process.
"Gary suggested the possibility of a two-week moratorium," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday night. "I'm disappointed because we don't have a negotiating partner that has any genuine interest in reaching an agreement. Zero interest."
Lockout Analysis
A break of two weeks potentially means that a deal would not be reached for a season start in December. If the NHLPA agrees to the two week break, then they can resume talks again in early December. The time winds down to the New Year and if January comes around and no deal has been struck, then it is likely that the season could be cancelled.
If both sides were closed to striking a deal, then it would be unlikely that these two sides (assuming they are both dying to get the season started) would walk away for two weeks and let the momentum they had made over the last week or so die down. If the league is asking for a break, then most probably it is because they are done making efforts to try and get the NHLPA to agree with them. The last few propositions have come from the NHL and the Players' association has shot down each one. It has been weeks since the NHLPA made a proposition to the league to get things rolling.
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