I honestly thought it would at least have lead to progress, and being as dumb as I am I thought for a second it automatically meant a deal would be made via the mediator. I was under the impression it was a last resort and both parties would have live with the terms set by the mediator.

At the least I was thinking the mediators if they saw how far apart they were would recommend they agree to play a half a season under the old CBA and agree to meet during and after the season with a deadline date to have a deal. Shows how smart I am.

Having the owners and the players in the room without Fehr and Bettman is the last shot at a season IF, big if, all the owners are there. To answer your question, yah I was dumb enough to think it might help. Really it was hope knowing that the stubberness might be exposed by the mediators.

Yea, include me into the "naive" slot also. I thought it was going to really be the deal "maker"