I think we need to remember where things were in June when they were working on the return to play plans. Tons of people here were shouting for them to scrap it and focus on this upcoming season. Tons of people thought the bubble would fail.
It's reasonable to conclude that getting back on the ice that summer was the main priority then; the players one some major concessions in the process that helped ensure some stability moving forward. Further negotiations were inevitable in anything but the best-case-scenario. There is nothing surprising here.
The MOU tentatively included Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 for camp/season start dates. Obviously that's not happening. Both parties know a lot more now than they did when they agreed to the MOU.
The players can choose between nothing, and something. The owners can choose between a big immediate loss, or a small(ish) immediate loss.
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