National Hockey League players are voting this week and could give the NHLPA's executive committee permission to file a disclaimer of interest in a step toward dissolving their union.
And at least one participant in that vote believes that the result will not even be close.
Detroit Red Wings forward Dan Cleary told ESPN that he expects a nearly unanimous result in favour of filing the disclaimer from the 700-strong members of the Players' Association.
"Like, if it's not 99.8 percent, I'd be disappointed," Cleary said to ESPN.
Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff believes that the NHLPA can no longer get the players closer to a resolution of the lockout that has stretched into a 94th day and that a disclaimer of interest could be the only course of action possible.
"Guys are going to be pretty highly in favour of it," Horcoff told ESPN The Magazine.
"I've been in conference calls with 200-300 players. We just feel at this point the union has done everything they can for us and we're not getting anywhere. It's time for us to go in a different direction."
Another twist in the lockout story is that a lawsuit filed by the NHL against the players for unfair labour practices contains a request that if the lockout is deemed legal, all contracts completed under the previous CBA be declared invalid.
Making every NHL player a free agent would be a move that would surprise Horcoff because of the league-wide upheaval that would be caused once the dispute is resolved.
"I find it surprising that teams would be in favour of that," said Horcoff to ESPN.
ESPN notes that Horcoff has two seasons and $11 million left on his current contract, but the veteran would not be concerned if his contract was wiped out.
"I've been fortunate enough to play long enough now where I've built security into my life and my family," he said. "For me, it's just a matter of doing what's right for the union and right for the players and just letting this thing play out."
