Even with the NHL collective bargaining agreement less than a month away from expiring and a lockout seeming eminent, Minnesota Wild player representative Darroll Powe isn't lacking for optimism. He says he's trying to remain optimistic about a deal getting done.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that a large gap remains between the players and owners. That's after the players presented a counter-proposal on Tuesday that included an owner-friendly salary cap. Powe just seems to be glad that discussions haven't shut down at this point.

"Obviously, there are differences in what both sides believe," he said, according to the Pioneer Press, "but there is still time. We're trying to listen to what the other side is saying."

Well, for the second time in eight years, players are being asked to take a pay cut, just like in the other major lockouts we've witnessed in the past year or so.

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