Pre-dad-ness, I used to joke that I would name a child after my two favorite guys, Santa Jesus. Now make that Santa Jesus Mario Wayne:

The NHL Players' Association announced Friday night that the league had requested a meeting with the union. But this time, it appears two of the greatest players in hockey history are sitting in on the discussion. Sources told Canadian Press that Wayne Gretzky, now a managing partner with the Phoenix Coyotes, and Mario Lemieux, player-owner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, would play a part in Saturday's meeting along with commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL executive vice-president Bill Daly and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow and senior director Ted Saskin.

I saw both Mario and Wayne play twice one of which was together in a Canada Cup preliminary game in Halifax in 1986 or '87. Both are team owners. Now it seems like they are together again, doing what Bettman said could not be done - negotiating until the job was done. I trust his reputation is as solid as Mulroney's right after the Kim Campbell election gambit brinksmasnship fiasco. To bad I can't think of an equivalent of Elsie Wayne to fill that second seat on the NHL's Board next to Gary that will be left for the soon to be old administration of the league once the dust settles. Just like the Tories, one seat is too many. You know, I just really want someone to make Bettman say "uncancelled" and "resumed negotiations" in the same statement before he drifts into well deserved obscurity.