Representatives from the NHL and NHLPA met twice yesterday for informal meetings in New York which according to Darren Dreger at TSN were good, candid discussions.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild's Zenon Konopka was one of three NHL players who attended the sessions, and described the negotiations to Michael Russo at the Star Tribune...

"We're getting down to the nitty gritty here, and we're trying to understand the league's proposal to the best of our ability and we're trying to explain ours to them. We're trying to find some common ground and something to build off.

"It's a good sign that we're sitting down in the same room. That can be taken as a positive, I guess. We, as players, are trying to do everything we can to get a deal done."

While that sounds all well and good, it looks like not much was accomplished...

The NHL and the NHLPA will likely meet again today but there has been little progress in the discussions they've had. #NHLlockout

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 8, 2012

Here's video of Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director, discussing yesterday's negotiations...

To watch at NHL.com, click here.

...you have to assume the fact that they met twice yesterday and will likely meet again today is a good thing. Right? My biggest complaint up until this point has been the lack of negotiation sessions. Just lock yourselves in a room until you can agree on a new CBA. This once a week garbage has proved that neither side cares about the fans or starting the season on time. But maybe, just maybe both sides see that September 15th deadline coming over the horizon and realize they need to get something done soon or the sport of hockey could be dead.

And for your enjoyment, here's another fan created lockout video...



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