Andrew Ladd doesn't think that the fans should be too hard on the players even though he does sympathize with their situation. "We understand that fans are the ones that drive our game and they're the reason we can play," he said. "At the same time, it's easy for the owners to put that pressure on the players, who are the ones who are out in the community and are really the only ones talking to the media. It's easy for those guys to hide and not have to say anything and deal with the public, while we're out here talking every day. We are trying to be up front and honest and we really do want to get a deal done." Ladd believes there's a deal to be made, but he said the players won't accept anything unless it's fair for both sides.