The NHL and NHLPA met for over 7 hours in New York City Tuesday night. They will meet again tomorrow. The two sides have had some good discussions, mostly based on the means of removing the “make whole” provision. Everyone is being very tight lipped, but information that “significant progress” was made has been leaked.

According to NHL sources, it’s only a matter of time before a deal is reached. The two sides are closer than ever. Bettman is following his secret agenda is hoping to get a deal done before November 9 to save the 82 game season. The backup plan would be getting a deal done before November 20, with a start date of December 1st and a 70 game season.

According to players present at the meeting today, many atendees were very tired towards the end of the day. However, “Mr. Bettman kept pushing the meeting, as if he wanted to get the deal done tonight.” One can assume the owners’ pressure on Gary Bettman must be quite important.

Bottom line is cautious optimism has been replaced by “optimism”. Both sides are committed to playing a season, and I firmly believe that it is indeed only a matter of time. Stay tuned, more negotiations tomorrow!