With the lockout dragging on, Andy McDonald admitted that "it's the first time I've been embarrassed to say that I'm an NHL hockey player." All the same, McDonald hasn't given up hope that there will be a 2013 season. In fact, given the progress the union and league have made lately, he seems fairly confident that the lockout will end soon. "What's left to agree upon or settle between the two sides is very small in the big scheme of things," McDonald said. "There's no reason why there shouldn't be some middle ground there and a deal be in place by the deadline." The deadline seems to be either Thursday or Friday. If the two sides aren't on the brink of an agreement by then, the NHL will probably cancel the season.