The longer this drags out, the more ammo the NHLPA has for fighting for more medical rights for players in the next CBA. NHL has to know this. Players never had fans on their sides it seemed in prior lockouts, but they will here. The inherent conflict of interest between a team (get out there and play hurt) vs a player (life after hockey) is laid bare. Teams are going to lose control of treatment if this doesn't get resolved in a reasonable way.
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