Tick...Tick...Tick...

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly yesterday "created a stir" when he made an appearance on the CBC's "Hockey Night In Canada Radio" and was "asked to give a simple yes or no answer on whether there would be an agreement in time to save the season," to which he responded "yes," according to Chris Johnston of the CP. NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr later said, "That's good news. I'm glad to hear that. I certainly hope he's right. That's the players' goal, that's what we want to try and do." He added of any upcoming CBA talks, "We're waiting to hear back from them." However, Daly in an e-mail wrote, "What is the agenda? Who is directing the conversation? We don't have anything new to say right now" ( CP, 12/19 ). Daly later in the day appeared on ...