NHL Lockout 2012- News Update: Sides to Meet At Undisclosed Location; Mid-January Start to Season?

The NHL Lockout has entered its 87^th day and it seems that the two sides have plans to meet yet again.  

According to Eklund of Hockeybuzz, the league and NHLPA are looking to meet at an undisclosed location in order to temper expectations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations. Eklund notes that when the press was notified of negotiations last week, the media circus ultimately created a greater sense of public discontent when the negotiations went sour. Eklund adds that according to his sources, the sides feel that they are too close to cancel the season and it will likely start in mid-January.

The NHL proposed a deal last week that included a number of concessions on the Make-Whole proposition and unrestricted free agency. The league is attempting to get a 10 year CBA, but has been at odds with the union over contracting rights. The league claims to want a five year contract limit with teams having the right to extend their own free agents for seven years, but the players seem to want unlimited contract lengths as well as a new pension plan.

Yesterday, the league canceled games up to December 30 and has  already disposed of the All-Star Game and Winter Classic. In total, 527 games (42.8 percent of the season) have been cancelled.