A "Workable Concept" for the NHL? Or Wishful Media Speculation?

Nobody stormed out in a rage and the day didn't end with dueling press conferences. In today's NHL, that's called progress.

The league and the Players' Association met for about seven hours on Monday to take another crack at collective bargaining. When it was over, witnesses to the great assembly made optimistic noises. Some media reports are cautiously suggesting an "opportunity for traction" (TSN.ca) or a "potentially workable concept" (Sportsnet.ca). No one is saying what the concept is or where the traction might be found. And at this point, any reader who puts much faith in anonymous sources needs to up their medication.

A larger than usual group gathered for the meeting, with several team owners and members of the players' executive joining the usual suspects. Statements released by the NHL and NHLPA revealed little, aside from a commitment to meet again soon. So take it with as many grains of salt as you please.