In perhaps the first sign that the players' resolve is weakening, Ottawa Senators enforcer Rob Ray said he would play hockey if the NHL resorted to using replacement players in the lockout.

'I'd cross the line in a second. Why wouldn't I?' Ray told the Ottawa Sun. 'I know about 10 guys who would be ahead of me and these guys are 10 current NHL players. Everybody just wants to get back to playing.'

The NHL season was supposed to get underway October 13th but the owners have locked the players out since September 15th when the collective bargaining agreement between the two sides expired. The owners are seeking to implement a salary cap while the NHL Players Association has refused to consider any agreement that includes a cap.

While saying he does not advocate a hard cap, Ray, a 15 year veteran, seemed bitter about the last settlement, one that was viewed as being very favorable to the players. According to Ray, the fringe players did not benefit from the previous settlement.

'I went through this whole thing in 1994 when I was making $300,000,' Ray said when referring to the previous labor stoppage. 'They got a deal done and I thought I was going to cash in big time. Well, I went from making $300,000 to $350,000. Big deal.'

That being said, Ray did not indicate it was time for the players to cave in.

The NHLPA has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday in Toronto with representatives from all 30 teams to update players about the latest on the lockout. Meanwhile, the owners and players still have no negotiations scheduled and the season continues to slip away.