In case you haven't heard, six of the most influential men in the NHL and NHLPA met today at O'Hare Airport in Chicago to get down to business. And I've gotta tell you, what a relief. Almost everybody will tell you that the chances of them getting a deal done at this juncture are somewhere between zero and nada, but I've become suddenly (and not-so-cautiously, unfortunately) optimistic. The meeting excluded super-egos Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow (their names get bandied about so much, I'm surprised no one's just calling them GB and BG), which is probably one of the major reasons no one stormed out of the talks more galvanized than when they came in. The structure appeared to be basically a talk between PA president Trevor Linden and Flames' part-owner Harley Hotchkiss, with Bill Daly, Ted Saskin, and outside counsels just there to keep the facts straight. At any rate, they're going to meet again soon - maybe tomorrow - so hold on to that glimmer of hope, if you dare.