WORK STOPPAGE NHL lockout destined to go on much longer

The players association met with agents for an informational session.
CHICAGO (AP) -- An NHL lockout that's already nine weeks old won't end anytime soon unless owners show some willingness to negotiate, agents said after a meeting with the players' union.
The NHL Players' Association held an informational session with 62 agents Wednesday, explaining the union's proposal in detail, sharing correspondence with the league and answering whatever questions the agents had.
"I see the possibilities -- from both sides," agent Don Meehan said. "This wasn't an affair today that we were given a jaundiced view in terms of one position. I think it was a frank assessment of the aims and objectives of both sides.
"I see possibilities for resolution," he added.
"At least I can draw my own conclusion in terms of what might be satisfactory for both sides."
Optimism fading
But Meehan might be the only one. While most agents remain hopeful the season can be saved, their optimism that it will actually happen appears to be fading.
"We've got real concerns that we're going to lose the season, there's no question," agent Don Baizley said.
"Both sides remain resolute at this moment, so there is a real risk of losing the season, there's no question about that. But everybody hopes that can be avoided."
The lockout, now in its 63rd day, was imposed by commissioner Gary Bettman after the collective bargaining agreement expired Sept. 15. The NHL and the players association haven't met since Sept. 9, and have no plans to return to the bargaining table.
The All-Star game has already been canceled, and the Stanley Cup finals are in danger of being wiped out for the first time since 1919, when the series between Montreal and Seattle was stopped after five games due a Spanish influenza epidemic.
"I'm not very optimistic at all," said Dallas Stars forward Bill Guerin, a member of the executive board. "But you never know. We're still very early into this whole lockout process. But I'm not optimistic."