Poile sees no coincidence in sports' strife

"Up through [Wednesday], their proposals included a payroll tax portion," Goodenow said. "[Wednesday,] they included a 3 percent [tax] on the gate -- we said it should be 50 percent. They've rejected our initial proposal. They rejected our promise not to strike in order to get the season started. Now, they move a little bit and expect us to say yes. We said no."

Yesterday, Goodenow was able to laugh at the owners' personal attacks on him.

"It's all part of the negotiating tactics," he said. "They presented a very positive face on Tuesday, then made a 180-degree turn and were totally negative the next day because we said no to their proposal.

"It's so contrived. They look and sound very serious, but it's part of the theater. You don't get the part unless you're very good actors."

There is no doubt, however, that NHL general managers and owners aren't just acting when they say they are worried. They believe they need a control on salaries every bit as much as the union believes they don't.

"I don't know what's so bad about us admitting we need help in controlling ourselves," said Poile. "We're not doing a good job. We need a partnership with the players. We need to get back to that day two years ago when we settled our last labor negotiations with a handshake promising to form a partnership. What ever happened to the partnership?"