After a 30-0 unanimous vote by the owners to ratify the collective bargaining agreement Wednesday, the players have now concluded their ratification vote.

Results aren't out yet, but it will certainly be ratified.

The lockout would then be ... all but over now.

Before it's officially over, a memo of understanding must be signed by the NHL and NHLPA. That essentially is a bulletpoint version of the CBA's main issues that would be legally binding while the actual CBA is crafted the next several weeks.

Last night, the language was still being crafted because part of this document must be a legal mechanism to resolve potential issues that could arise while the CBA is being finalized. In 1994-95, there were several wildfires that had to be put out as the game returned to the ice.

As Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in email to me this morning, "The lockout won't be lifted and nothing happens unless or until MOU is signed."

Until the Memo of Understanding is signed, technically there can be no schedules released, no transactions in the league (the Wild could be in the market for a defenseman this week), no training camps open.

Daly says he is expecting that to happen today. When that happens, then we can get our hands on the schedule, TV schedule, training camp details, etc.

Wild physicals will occur this morning. The players will be on the ice for a final informal skate this afternoon. The hope is camp opens tomorrow. The training camp roster as of now is on www.startribune.com/wild. So is Chip Scoggins' great column on Wild coach Mike Yeo.

I'll update the blog when we have the players results and/or MOU is signed and/or schedule is released and/or official training camp details/roster is out.

You've been patient since Sept. 15. Be patient just a little while longer, I promise.