NHL legend Steve Yzerman, who was among the few optimists, appears to have lost any hope that this season can be saved.
''I don't see it happening,'' the Red Wings' captain told the Detroit News. ''The philosophies haven't changed and there's no compromise in sight. I'd hoped at the last moment the owners would move off the salary cap, but they're not going to. I don't see a deal being done in the next week, and that's pretty much all the time that's left.''
After meetings Wednesday and Thursday appeared to solve nothing, more players are now looking at heading to Europe where some leagues will require commitments this week.
''A lot of guys have waited around, but there will never be an official cancellation, so at some point, guys just have to decide to go,'' Yzerman told the Detroit News. ''I won't say it's an absolute we won't see hockey until next January, but it certainly is a possibility.''
If the NHL doesn't get started until next January, Yzerman may not play again.
''I've pretty much got my mind made up about what I'm going to do, but there's no need to say for sure yet,'' Yzerman said to the Detroit News. ''If next season started on time and the Red Wings called about playing, it's something I'd definitely consider. But starting in January might be different.''