NHL and NHLPA meet with moderator for two days. No winners just losers.

The days after the Phoenix Coyotes scored a huge win at City council, fans look for another win. An agreement.

Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

After a dozen plus hours of mediation were there any breakthroughs? Many blame Gary Bettman. Problem is he is at the mercy of his boss. The owners. They hold all the power here. Luckily for the Coyotes we are in the process of getting an owner. So we have the least blame to carry. No owner no cry.

Time is running out. Not much hope in site at this point.

Losses include: Fans, sponsors, TV deals, jobs, and whatever rank they wish to have among sports.

What they did gain is:  NOTHING!

The bottom line here is with no winners and only losers. What else is there to discuss. The NBA salvaged a shortened season. Not too much crying about it when all was said and done. The NFL didnt really miss a beat. So the NHL is at a crossroads. If you think about it, who’s to say anything will ever get resolved. Decertification looms and if that were to happen it would spell doom for the NHL and Hockey in the US.

I will give Gary Bettman credit for this. He came out after mediation and offered to sit out the next meeting and suggested Fehr do the same. Let the players and owners sit in the next meeting with no league reps. I think it is an excellent idea. When you get all lawyers and those not directly effected in a room it is all about money. When you look across the table at your kids, parents may give a little. Same thing at the City Council meeting where you have passionate fans speak directly to the Mayor and council. Not the lawyers reading off a prepared sheet. A little heart is needed.

Would hate to be Scrooged out of an NHL season.