The NHL and NHLPA met Wednesday afternoon in New York, as the two sides try to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement, before the current one expires on Sept. 15.
While no deal has been agreed to, the NHL has given the NHLPA an offer, which is more like an ultimatum. The NHL's offer to the NHLPA will expire when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
"The players' proposal was not much different and was not acceptable," Bettman said.
So instead, the NHL countered with an ultimatum.
"What we did do today will be off the table if we don't have a deal by the expiration of the CBA," Bettman said.
Ultimatums seldom are a wise way to negotiate, so NHL fans shouldn't be terribly optimistic about the NHL's latest take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Hopefully, the two sides will come to their senses, but it appears that a lockout is imminent.