Bitter sniping between the NHL players union and commissioner Gary Bettman hit a low point in Calgary with an NHLPA senior director, saying Bettman is the wrong man to lead the league.
Bettman retorted that the union's rhetoric was getting desparate as the NHL lockout drags on.

" I don't mind being the whipping boy, if this gets us closer to the right result," Bettman said after meeting with Calgary Flame staff and season ticket holders.

Ted Saskin of the NHLPA in a radio interview with The Score in Toronto, said that Bettman is not respected by the players.

Sounds like this could get even uglier before it gets better fellow hockey fans. frown

The only way it could get uglier is if they have a steelcage match!

The general managers from all 30 teams will be meeting today, for all the good that will do. From my Kings GM, Dave Taylor: "It's a chance for all of to be in the same room. I don't know if there's going to be a lot of news, but it will be an open forum where people can ask questions." [Is it an open bar? counts as a question.] Whether the season will be cancelled may or may not be discussed. Bettman has said there's no "drop-dead date" but that time (obviously) is running out.

~Adam

Bettman's comments in today's Calgary Herald.

The NHL has accepted the union's request to meet next week. The union says they're preparing a new proposal.

More posturing or could this actually lead to a season?

Darren Pang--who clearly has a lot of free time on his hands--says the new proposal says nothing about a salary cap; if the NHL sticks to their desire for a salary cap, it will remain at stalemate.

~Adam

This should amuse the players' association:

Bettman ranked 5th on the list of the 7th worst managers in the US in 2004 done by BusinessWeek.

"Arenas have been empty since Sept. 15, when National Hockey League owners locked out the players," the magazine said of Bettman's selection.

"NHL finances are in shambles, and the weak [U.S.] TV deal signed with NBC last spring suggests the league has little leverage and is now a second-tier sport."

Story from CBC website:
Bettman worst manager