I've spoken to Don Waddell pretty extensively about it and we will continue to have our conversations and hopefully it will be something that gets resolved in time for camp.

I kind of invaded this corporate environment and set up shop here, and everyone learned the restaurant business overnight.

The Stars clearly stepped up and established a priority in Sergei, and I personally think that's the best way to do business in the new NHL. They were very honest about their assessment and made a fair offer immediately.

I'm sure Ilya's going to want to have representation there, but I have no objection to that. It would probably be good for Don to see the reality of what's over there.

I thought it would take a break. But I guess 300 days was long enough.

Nynex has had an ongoing volunteer retirement program and some folks may slide over to those positions as people accept the buyouts.

Nik's aim is to be the best goaltender in the league. And certainly, out of deference to Marty, who Nik respects quite a bit, he's right there.

(General manager) Don Waddell is trying to minimize the differences between us, but the difference is sizable.

We're going to eliminate 3,000 management positions, as we've always said, and those are not going to necessarily be layoffs.