There was so much irony in today's bargaining session between the NHL and the NHLPA.
While the union was making it's latest pitch, in another country - Canada - it was filing legal paper to prevent the lockout from affecting players in Quebec - namely, the Canadiens.
Donald Fehr said he felt the players gave the league a better offer than the last one in August and hoped that Gary Bettman would sleep on it.
It wasn't even a nap. Bettman shot it down minutes later when Fehr's presser ended.
Fehr went to great lengths not to say much, not to draw any conclusions, not to be too negative and when Bettman said this latest offer amounted to more of the same, it was an embarrassment to the union.
Which is why Fehr met with reporters a second time on Wednesday night shortly before the players meeting at the Marriott Marquis. Fehr seemed distressed because he didn't want to get into the specifics of his proposal but since Bettman did, he had no choice.
Bottom line remains: both sides are far apart. Still.
The owners want immediate and very large salary givebacks. The players counter with, take some money over time, and take it from revenue growth but not salaries.
And while Bettman continues to insist both sides are talking the same language on revenue sharing, Fehr makes it clear that is simply no true.
He talked about his complicated "industry growth fund" tonight which sources tell us could provide $1.25 billion in new revenues but ... it requires the richer clubs to do their share in helping the poor.
Fehr continues to say that as long as the rich refuse to want to do "their part" in growing revenues for weaker teams, the NHL will always have money woes for a number of clubs.
He's right, too.
So here we are with the lockout coming 12:01 am on Sunday and ... it seems inevitable because the near 300 players in this hotel don't seem inclined to accept today's offer which Bettman said would be off the table on Saturday.
For more on the lockout and the FLyers here in NYC, see CSNPhilly.com:
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Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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