Was another benchmark reached in the ongoing feud between Lightning co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie? It seems so. Barrie on Friday cryptically indicated he has repaid a $3 million loan to Koules. “The process is moving forward on the commitments that have been agreed to by the NHL, myself and Oren,” Barrie said.

But there was no confirmation the money was received by Koules, who put up the funds last season when Barrie missed a cash call. Barrie had until Monday to make the payment, part of a multi-part plan by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who has demanded Koules and Barrie resolve their financial and philosophical differences.