All expectations are that the NHL and its union are on the verge of reaching a new collective bargaining agreement. But the leaked details about the CBA are a far cry from what the players association wanted throughout last year and just prior to Garry Bettman cancelling the season. Several players have recently voiced their frustrations on the fact that an NHL season may have been lost due to posturing and poor strategic vision. Detroit Red Wings goalie and player rep Manny Legace sounded a little peeved last week and now Kings tough guy Sean Avery had some pretty harsh words for Bob Goodenow and the executive committe. "We burned a year for nothing," said Avery. "We didn't win anything. We didn't prove anything. We didn't get anything. We wasted an entire season."

Avery told the Los Angeles Times that a lot of players felth that they had been embarrased by Goodenow. "I am furious at Bob. Bob thought he was bigger than he was. Bob brainwashed players like me. We underestimated how rich the owners were," he said. "Nobody thought they would be willing to burn a season. They won. They beat us." Avery described the confused state many players were in with an apparent lack of communication amongst the ranks. "To be honest with you, most of us didn't know what was going on." He also apologized to the fans, hoping that they would embrace the game when it returned.