Maybe the hockey lockout can be resolved over the next 2 weeks

I've continually said the NHL owners and players have not been very far apart.  The problem has been that neither side chose posturing to the media over negotiations.  Now it seems that real negotiations is taking place.

We know that both the players and owners had already agreed to a 50:50 split in some form.  It's just that they were far apart on how to get there.  It seems that what has gotten things moving is the NHL signalling that it would be willing to move on the players' proposed make-whole provisions. Whether this means that players' contracts will be honoured fully is unknown. 

Should the players win on this issue it will be a bit of a blow to teams that went on a signing spree right before the lockout began.  The only explanation for signing those contracts before the lockout would be to lock in players who thought they were getting a certain number of dollars only to have to pay them something less.  If those players will now be worth less under the new CBA but fully paid then the winners will be the teams that waited, like Toronto.

Even if the economic issues are resolved this week, there are still a lot of other issues to be worked through such as free agency, maximum length of contracts, salary cap, minimum floor, etc.  That's why this may take a couple of weeks.  Would be nice to have hockey by American Thanksgiving.