With the cancellation of the 2012-13 season becoming a greater possibility, both sides in the current lockout have decided to allow federal mediation to help out with negotiations.
"We are able to confirm that we have agreed to a request by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to engage in meetings with the Union that will involve the participation of Federal Mediators," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "While we have no particular level of expectation going into this process, we welcome a new approach in trying to reach a resolution of the ongoing labor dispute at the earliest possible date.
He did however note that there were no meetings set up at the moment.
NHLPA Executive Donald Fehr added, "We look forward to their involvement as we continue working to reach an equitable agreement for both the players and the owners."
Negotiations will be led by Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh and Director of Mediation Services John Sweeney. They were assigned by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services Director George H. Cohen, who took part in the NFL and NBA lockout mediations last year.
Beckenbaugh was brought in back during the 2004 lockout to help with mediation. Back then, he ordered that the league meet in Washington ahead of the season cancellation deadline. He held three meetings in February where the main issue was over the salary cap. Unfortunately, the gap between the two sides was too big and the season was subsequently cancelled.