Well, it's beginning to look like I won't be using my Winter Classic tickets this year.
Seriously, "NHL makes new offer, player says" in the latest gossip involved in this sad, sad saga.
Source
"The NHL has made a new proposal to the NHL Players' Association with time ticking toward a canceled season, an NHL player told ESPN.com on Friday.
The player, who requested anonymity, said the NHL made a new offer to the NHLPA on Thursday, one that moved on the term limit for player contracts, salary variance and buyouts, according to the player.
The league's insistence on a five-year limit has been a major sticking point with players, who countered Dec. 6 with a willingness to limit deals to eight years.
At this point there is no scheduled meeting between the sides set for Friday, a source said. The NHLPA needs time to review the lengthy and detailed offer from the league.
Details of the new offer include:
• Term limit on player contracts moves to six years from the five years NHL asked in previous offers (seven years if you're re-signing your own player).
• Year-to-year salary variance moves from 5 percent (NHL's previous offers) to 10 percent.
• Each team will be allowed one compliance buyout before the 2013-14 season that will not count against the salary cap but will count against the players' share.
• The Make Whole provision stays at $300 million."