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What they’re saying about Wednesday’s exchange between NHL, union

Bettman and Fehr

Wednesday was an eventful day as far as the ongoing CBA negotiations are concerned, but was it a meaningful one?

As is often the case, the Twitterverse was littered with reactions regarding today’s NHL and NHLPA proposals and the press conferences that followed. Below is a sampling of some of the more interesting and noteworthy tweets from hockey writers and analysts.

Fair warning though, there wasn’t much optimism about the chances of avoiding a lockout, as evidenced by Pierre LeBrun, Nick Kypreos, and Jesse Spector’s comments:

My own read on today: this is not close from ending. Still far, far apart

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) September 12, 2012

Still no true #CBA talks taking place cause #NHL reluctance 2 discuss anything significant til #NHLPA hands over 10% of next yr salaries.

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) September 12, 2012

18 minutes of Fehr solo, 12 minutes of questions. Maybe 20 seconds where you could feel optimistic.

— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) September 12, 2012

As Aaron Ward points out, the players and owners are still stuck on the core economics, but there are other big issues that need to be addressed:

Direction of CBA negotiations centered on core economics only.No traction on Free Agency,ELS,Arbitration and contract length. #TSN

— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) September 12, 2012

Jim Matheson thinks this will all eventually end with the owners emerging victorious:

NHL players are definitely the show but owners run the stage. It’s their company, their risk, they pay bills. Eventually, they’ll win fight.

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) September 12, 2012

Wouldn’t it have been nice if the negotiations for the current CBA had started months earlier?

Saddest reality of #CBA fiasco: This could have been avoided, might have been had talks started before early summer. There is a doable deal.

— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) September 12, 2012

Finally, if you’re looking for someone who’s projecting a ray of hope, Nick Cotsonika is your man:

Bettman issued an ultimatum, but he did it with a clear message that the NHL has more wiggle room. Again, there is a deal to be made.

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) September 12, 2012