The NHL has filed its latest proposal in the ongoing labour talks with the NHL Players' Association, giving the union
until Saturday to accept before pulling it off the table.

Player Association Executive Director Donald Fehr spoke to the media late this afternoon, saying that today's offer would save the owners $900 million, and that they players are ready to go to five years, instead of the four they proposed on August 14th.

League commissioner Gary Bettman said the players proposal was not much different from pervious proposals and was not acceptable.

The NHL's counter-offer would see the  players get 49 % of Hockey Related Revenues in first year and then 47% after that.

CJAD and Sports Illustrateds Michael Farber said while it was a good sign the two sides were talking, he wasn't too optomistic about a deal getting done before the lockout is set to start.

"No, I don't think they can get something done by Saturday. I think there are too many outstanding issues. But I think this is positive, at least the sides are speaking and maybe something does happen very quickly."

As for why the deal would be pulled off the table Saturday instead of using it as ground work for more negotiating, Farber says it's Bettman's way of forcing his hand.

"It's like a limited time offer, this great Baconator isn't going to be available forever. And that's to rachet up the pressure on the players. Negotiations are always best when there are some kind of pressure points, and this was his way of applying a pressure point."