Just talked to a source. VERY high up. Based "occurrence in the last hour" he is 99.9% sure of 48-52 game NHL season starting on or around January 12th.
Update...I know people are seeing this as some kind of new optimism...but i have always felt there will be a season...almost every writer I respect feels there will be a season...
Buy what TRULY bothers me about the January 12 start date is players, many of whom I conisder friends, will miss December checks needlessly. Honestly. They are giving money away. And many of them know this and are trying to make a difference still.
Update:
A little more...what happened did not happen between the two sides, rather within one side.
All I can say...for now.