NHL Lockout 2012 - News Update: Training Camp to Start in a Week? Both Sides Meet at Undisclosed Location

The NHL and the NHLPA have agreed to meet once again to attempt to save the 2012-13 season and end the lockout.

According to NHL.com the two sides are currently with federal mediators at an undisclosed location. Among the players involved at the meeting taking part in the the negotiating sessio are Craig Adams, Adrian Aucoin, Brad Boyes, Chris Campoli, Mathieu Darche, Shane Doan, Ron Hainsey, Jamal Mayers, Andy McDonald, Steve Montador, Brendan Morrison, Douglas Murray and Daniel Winnik.

Eklund of Hockeybuzz asserts that a deal will be struck and that the season will start in January. Eklund adds that the sessions have went well so far today, but that there should be tempered expectations about the progress made. The report also indicates that Eklund's players feel that they are a week to 10 days away from starting training camp. Eklund also concludes that optimism is very high and that the two sides refuse to consider cancelling the season.

According to CBS Sports's Hockey Column, Commissioner Gary Bettman is insisting that the deal be a 10-year CBA with five year contract limits and a "refusal on both compliance buyouts and escrow caps as the league transitions from one CBA to the next." The players supposedly proposed an eight year deal with an opt-out after six seasons and an eight year contract limit for the players.

The NHL has already canceled games through December 30 for a total of 526 regular season games. Among the cancelled games have been the Winter Classic and the All-Star Weekend.