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Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy reported Thursday morning Teemu Selanne believes the lockout will end by Monday. Ahh, that's our Teemu. Always the optimist.
In a translation from an MTV3 interview, Selanne states:
"I think the lockout ends next Monday, the 7th, camps begin on the 10th and the 1st game is on the 18th or 19th. Light at the end of the tunnel now since it's the 1st time NHL and owners have pressure and the whole season really is in jeopardy.
"Right now I'm optimistic and think the season will begin. We (players) have wondered why this has taken so long and NHL has taken that stance."
What I find most interesting about this is his statement on wondering why this has taken so long. Ryan Getzlaf echoed his sentiments. I'm going to go as far as to assume a lack of communication in the NHLPA but it is interesting.
While I am mainly apathetic to the entire negotiations, Selanne could be the only reason I really want hockey back. (Ok, the second reason I want hockey back is so I can stop producing filler content for the site.) This man's phenomenal career should not end because of a lockout. Not to mention the trouble the Ducks would be in without him. It's bound to happen one day; however, I'd rather be prepared for that moment.
Let's look at this objectively. Today is Thursday, Jan. 3. It's encouraging to see both sides burn the midnight oil on a holiday; however, the negotiations seem to be stuck at the issues of salary cap and pensions. As of this morning, there are reports the NHLPA could re-request the players to vote again on giving them the OK to file a disclaimer of interest (the original vote to file expired Jan. 2). Some are calling it leverage others a tactic both meant to keep the NHL on their toes.
Monday is four days away. If he ends up being correct, the next time I see him, I'm going to ask for lottery numbers.