CBA discussions grind toward an end game....

                An editor reminded me yesterday that talk is cheap, and lordy, haven’t we learned that lesson in Lockout III?

                The discussions and the spin started in the summer, with the expected blowups and snits and silent standoffs.  But trust me, the push-and-pull won’t end today or tomorrow or by Jan. 1, because the sides are now going through the latest NHL proposal line-by-line before the bargaining even resumes.

                Let’s face it, the hard deadline is Jan. 11.  So the players association will continue its due diligence, as it should, but it seems clear that the end game is here, or from my sometimes-remember Latin, “a posse ad esse” ---from being possible to being actual.

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                With a 48-game season---again, presuming that there will be peace in the end--- the games will be intense, if you listen to some of the players who were around in 1994-95. We’ll take a closer look at that abbreviated season on another day. 

                 First step is training camp:  Many observers believe two or three players who are in the minors now will crack opening day rosters, simply because they have been playing, and playing well, and can step in with the necessary compete level and timing.  Same for those players who kept in shape overseas---and didn’t sustain major injuries.  For example, judging from reports from around the globe,  players such as Evgeni Malkin, John Tavares and Tyler Seguin are ready to rock.

                 For the Rangers, expect players to stress conditioning before Camp Tortorella. No word yet on whether there will be one or two exhibition games for each team---or none.  Depends on how soon a tentative deal can be forged.

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               At the World Junior Championships in Russia, Team USA has one shot to advance after today’s 2-1 loss to Canada---by beating Slovakia.  That game airs live tomorrow on NHL Network at, egads, 5 a.m.