Brouwer: “We know the timeline here is getting squished”

Washington Capitals winger Troy Brouwer gave Tracey Myers of CSNChicago.com a rather matter-of-fact explanation of how many players are reacting to the NHL’s new proposal on Saturday.

“Anything right now we’ll take, as far as moving (the process) along here,” Brouwer said. “Guys want to get back to playing hockey. We know the timeline here is getting squished pretty substantially. If something’s going to happen, it’s going to happen in the next week or 10 days. Right now, players don’t know what it all entails. But in the next few days I’m sure there’ll be some talks going on, if nothing else, about this proposal.”

The general reactions from the players Myers polled probably matches those of fans and other onlookers: plenty of exhaustion with a slight hint of optimism.

For those who might be frustrated that the two sides didn’t jump right back into talks with time whittling down dangerously close to deadline territory, Chicago Blackhawks tough guy Jamal Mayers gave a good explanation.

“Seeing that it was a 288-page document, it will take a day or so for the NHLPA staff to review and get clarification where necessary,” Mayers said. “I’m hopeful this will finally lead to real negotiations to get back on the ice.”

Not exactly bold positivity, but maybe those statements still indicate that peace might be on the horizon?

If not, our feelings might get a little “squished.”