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Even though last week's optimism did not end in a deal between the NHL and NHLPA, the two sides are closer than they have been in weeks.
CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio recently wrote about Sidney Crosby's role in the lockout and how his involvement helped change the discussion:
And one of the reasons they have gotten closer is because the face of the game -- from a player's perspective and not the NHLPA itself -- was involved: Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins star did what the greatest player in the game is supposed to do. He got involved.