Reason for optimism?
Sportsnet.ca -- The National Hockey League and the NHLPA are meeting this afternoon in Toronto and sources tell Sportsnet the players associations' executive committee has been brought in to add weight to the process.
With the exception of Daniel Alfredsson and Arturs Irbe, the rest of the executive team has flown in. Bill Guerin, Bob Boughner, Trent Klatt, and Vincent Damphousse have gathered in Toronto, but are not participating in the meeting.
Sources say the executives will be briefed by NHLPA President Trevor Linden immediately following the meeting and will then determine what direction needs to be taken from that point on.
In the event this marathon stalemate might be about to end, Sportsnet has learned at least one team is urging its players to be ready for training camp as early as next week.
Sources tell Sportsnet the Phoenix Coyotes coaching staff has informed its players they need to be on standby, prepared to practice within the next seven days.
While it remains clear there is a great deal of work to be done before either side emerges from today's meeting with a resolution, an incredible sense of urgency continues to grow.
The biggest hurdle the NHL will face is scrambling to reconstruct the league and all of the off-ice logistics that go along with that. Through a process that includes all non-economic matters, it's believed the earliest a season could start is February 10.
With the exception of Daniel Alfredsson and Arturs Irbe, the rest of the executive team has flown in. Bill Guerin, Bob Boughner, Trent Klatt, and Vincent Damphousse have gathered in Toronto, but are not participating in the meeting.
Sources say the executives will be briefed by NHLPA President Trevor Linden immediately following the meeting and will then determine what direction needs to be taken from that point on.
In the event this marathon stalemate might be about to end, Sportsnet has learned at least one team is urging its players to be ready for training camp as early as next week.
Sources tell Sportsnet the Phoenix Coyotes coaching staff has informed its players they need to be on standby, prepared to practice within the next seven days.
While it remains clear there is a great deal of work to be done before either side emerges from today's meeting with a resolution, an incredible sense of urgency continues to grow.
The biggest hurdle the NHL will face is scrambling to reconstruct the league and all of the off-ice logistics that go along with that. Through a process that includes all non-economic matters, it's believed the earliest a season could start is February 10.
