Gary Bettman has never been much of a straight talker. Not in public, at any rate.

But every once in a while he hits the nail on the head, as he did this week in assessing negotiations between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.

“I think it’s fair to say the sides are still far apart and have different views of the world,” the league commissioner told reporters.

That sends an unequivocal message to fans.

With opening night less than two months away, it will take a near-miracle for the new NHL season to start on time.

Both sides have laid their opening proposals on the table, and they’re simply too far apart to come to terms anytime soon.

That means the owners will almost surely lock out the players when training camps are set to begin in September.

Here’s a look at the main issues and where the fundamental disagreements are.

Read it, and starting making new plans for the early days of the NHL season.

• NHL Lockout Watch: How They Differ on the Issues

Photo: It was all-for-one when Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (L) and owner Jeremy Jacobs celebrated their Stanley Cup win last year. Now they’re on opposite sides of a bigger fight (Jim Rogash/Getty Images).