We experience a variety of "worst feelings" throughout our lives, and no milk in the house when a full bowl of delicious cereal is staring you in the face is one of them. Sitting on the throne only to realize you have no toilet paper ranks up there as well, but getting your sporting hopes up and then having them crushed might be the worst.

The good news for Oilers fans is that you’re likely immune to this feeling, after suffering through the last six seasons. Every October, and sometimes into November, you’ve allowed yourself to believe that the playoffs were a possibility. Then over the next three months you watched that dream slowly evaporate into an abyss of losing and heartache.

Today could be one of those days. The NHL and NHLPA are meeting in a secret locale while the Katz Group speaks to city council regaridng the arena deal at 9:30ish this morning.

Is it possible Edmonton fans could see progress on both fronts?

The NHL’s meetings will involve a mediator so don’t expect any info leaked. However, in Edmonton the Katz Group will present their case in council’s chambers, so we’ll at least get a sense of what they are proposing.

Meanwhile the arena deal has dragged on far too long. Hell, when it started Strudwick had a regular forehead, but now his hairline looks more like a "six-head." The good news regarding the arena is that they’ve finally reached a critical timeline. If they don’t have a new deal in place by March, then we likely won’t get a deal.

In March councilors start to position themselves for the next election, and many will use the arena as part of their platform. There are many things more important within our city, but the arena is the hot-button topic and you can bet it will be used as a pawn like children in a messy divorce.

The Katz Group was asked to appear in front of council on October 17th, but they declined. At the time Daryl Katz said,”I fear the city has approached this negotiation based on narrow political considerations rather than a genuine desire to strike a deal that is fair and makes economic sense for both sides.”

The Katz Group didn’t show up and city council didn’t blink. They shut down arena talks and instructed city administration to look at other options, including building the arena project alone.

So why the change of heart from the Katz Group? Most likely because they realized the city won’t back down from the deal they agreed upon in October of 2011. And maybe their own views were even more narrow-minded than the city council’s.

We’ll find out  this morning how serious the Katz Group is about partnering with the city and getting this project started.

I doubt we will hear anything of substance coming from the NHL meetings, and that might be a good thing. I don’t think leaking out propaganda or rhetoric helps the negotiations. All it does it frustrate the fans and usually leads to inaccurate reactions and assessments.

The facts are that neither side respects the fans. They will tell you they do, and that you are the best fans in the world, but their actions suggest they only want you when it’s beneficial for them. Three times in 18 years they have taken away the game you love, offered up no realistic explanation why and no rebates when it returned. Instead they jacked up ticket prices the past seven years.

They prey on your love of hockey. I am a season-ticket holder and I know it would be hard to just give up my tickets, mainly because I donate mine to charities, but the idea that I’m supporting them frustrates me more than ever.

Will today be a worst feeling type of day, or will we actually see some progress? I firmly believe the NHL will resolve their issues and we will see hockey in 2013, and I sense the Katz Group has a counter-proposal in hand. Will it be enough to actually put a shovel in the ground? We’ll see.

We raised another $2,000 yesterday courtesy of Gordon’s bid on the MFC package. Thanks Gordon and to the MFC for donating.

Over the past few weeks I’ve received numerous emails from people who want to help out and bid on some items, but mentioned that $2,500 is a bit our of their price range. They asked if I could come up with some packages between $900-$1500. So today I have three kick-ass packages that are within those price ranges.

Item One.. A pub party for 10 at On The Rocks...Dr. Wang and the staff will ensure you have a great night out. Food and bevvies included. Trust me, only bid on this if you have a fun group of friends. They will treat you very well at OTR.
 

Item two: Performance package from River Valley Health. This is for the athlete in your family.

Item three: A Tacori Lilac Blossom Necklace.

 

All the proceeds from today will go towards The Victory Christmas Dinner. Bidding starts at 2 p.m and goes to 5:55 p.m. You can bid at 780.426.8326 or 1.800.243.1945