Players expected to vote today on new agreement

TORONTO -- The road leading to the Hockey Hall of Fame here is plastered with posters proclaiming, "It's Your Game. Play On!"

The NHL is getting close to doing just that.

At the conclusion of a two-day players' association meeting that began Wednesday, union members will cast ballots in a ratification vote that will determine if the NHL lockout is at its end.

The discussion of the collective bargaining agreement, tentatively reached last week, began in earnest Wednesday evening and was expected to continue for several hours into the night.

It was to pick up again this morning before the players vote, and the fate of next season becomes known.

Fans who sought autographs in the hotel lobby from heroes they've missed for a year will have to wait a little bit longer for some good news.

It looks like it's coming.

"We had to stand up for what we thought we could get and that's the nature of the business. Now we have to move on," St. Louis Blues forward Doug Weight said.

Many of the 700-plus players are expected to voice displeasure over the deal that reportedly contains a salary cap and having player compensation linked to league-wide revenues.