NHL players were taken by surprise Tuesday by news that their Players' Association had turned face and put a salary cap on the bargaining table.
But some also expressed faith in the leadership, saying they were behind union officials if they believed it's the right thing to do.
''Giving up the salary cap is obviously really frustrating as a player,'' Oilers forward Ryan Smyth said in Edmonton.
''The union, through this proposal, has caught us by surprise. But the fact they felt it was the thing to do to get it done, then I'm behind them,'' he added.
Oilers defenceman Cory Cross echoed the sentiment: ''We have faith in the committee. They are doing what's right for everybody.''
The union move showed what the players are willing to do to get a deal, Smyth said.
''We are throwing every bone we can to make this work.''
Added Senators defenceman Wade Redden: ''It takes a little pressure on each side to budge. Both sides are at a pressure point and want to get things going.''
But Todd Marchant, the Blue Jackets player rep, says he isn't so sure the two sides are any closer.
''We've proposed a ceiling on salaries, we've given a salary rollback, and it's still not enough,'' he said. ''Honestly I believe we've made the compromise. It's time for them to step up now.''
Sabres player representative Jay McKee admitted he was surprised when he heard the union would accept a cap.
''If that's where we were going, I wonder why now,'' he said.
Even Redden, also in Edmonton, wondered about the timing.
''If it could have been done two years ago it could have been a lot more convenient for everyone,'' he said.
Chicago forward Matthew Barnaby was of the same mind.
''We probably could've gotten this thing done in the summertime,'' he said. ''Am I mad? No. I want to get back to work. But at the same time, I'm just a little disappointed that it went this far to play poker and to have someone call your bluff.''
Larry Quinn, managing partner of the Sabres, spoke his mind during an interview with Buffalo's WGRZ-TV.
"I think it's insane, quite frankly," Quinn said of the possibility the season might be cancelled. "I'm at a loss.
"I'm so sick and tired of hearing (the players') philosophy, free market and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It's nonsense. I'm saying this to you today because I'm at the end of being polite about it."