Some players believe the NHL, in its quest to shove a hard salary cap down their throats, never negotiated in good faith and had planned all along to cancel the season.

"I don't think there's any doubt the players have made more concessions," Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman said Wednesday. "Instead of taking every concession by the players as a sign of good will and furthering the negotiating process, it was perceived by (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman as a weakness. They had no intention of negotiating."

Teammate Kris Draper was less diplomatic.

"This is an absolute farce," Draper said. "(Bettman) didn't want to get a deal done. He's never been a hockey man, never had any interest in building the sport. His record speaks for itself."

When the NHL Players Association agreed to accept a cap and the league dropped its demand for linkage of salaries to revenue on Tuesday, some players' hopes were raised. But Bettman wouldn't budge from his $42.5 million cap figure -- up from $40 million -- after the players lowered their offer from $52 million to $49 million.

When the NHL Players Association agreed to accept a cap and the league dropped its demand for linkage of salaries to revenue on Tuesday, some players' hopes were raised. But Bettman wouldn't budge from his $42.5 million cap figure -- up from $40 million -- after the players lowered their offer from $52 million to $49 million.

"I had a feeling over the last 48 hours that something would happen," Wings forward Kirk Maltby said. "To end up getting this close and not getting it done is extremely frustrating. There's a million emotions. It's frustrating, I'm upset, mad, disappointed. It's not a fun day.

"Everyone knows this is not good for the game; anyone who thinks it is needs to have his head examined. We know a new system needs to be put in place. It's unfortunate they couldn't (talk aggressively) two-to-four weeks ago and had more time."

Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, who could be pushed into retirement, has led the players' anti-Bettman crusade.

"The bottom line is the league is in trouble and he's the one who's running the league," Chelios said. "We know the owners are pushing and he's just a spokesman, but as far as marketing, franchises being allowed to play where they shouldn't, that's all him. He should be the one who pays for all this."

Yzerman was one of many players who was surprised by the union's decision to suddenly acquiesce to a cap. He would have liked more discussion but he accepts the NHLPA executive committee's decision.

"It's easy for people to sit on the sidelines and say, 'This is what needs to be done,' " Yzerman said. "I'll let the negotiating committee do what they're supposed to do and support their decision. I shouldn't be influencing it. It has a greater affect on players in the future, not on me."

The future is uncertain. Players can only hope this dispute is resolved by the start of training camp in September. Even after Bettman's announcement, Yzerman wasn't ready to give up on the season, saying the sides could get together again shortly.

"I still think there's a possibility for things to progress," Yzerman said. "Let's just wait and see before we write things off. A lot of things can happen behind closed doors."