Raw Charge, a Tampa Bay Lightning community

Talks collapse and so does the hockey world.

Eighteen players and six owners met behind closed doors over the last couple of days, and all we've gotten are vague updates as to their progress. But what really has been happening in these meetings, and which participants are driving results?

Though Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle and captain Sidney Crosby are getting much praise for progress today with talks between teh NHL and the NHLPA, Tampa Bay officials have been major allies.

Tuesday's meeting between NHL owners and players is supposed to jumpstart the stalled CBA negotiations. But our source says it's meant to serve a more sinister purpose: to be a surprise birthday party for Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs.

There's a really good piece today in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that gets into the Penguins' ownership structure with Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle and just how the two made some of the financial decisions that led to the team winning the Cup this year.