Rumor: NHL/NHLPA negotiations are drawing to a close.

Hockey fans have understandably been frustrated in recent weeks as a result of the delays in negotiations between the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association. Truth be told, most fans couldn't care less about the details of those negotiations, but what they do care about is the fact that those delays have subsequently caused a delay to the start of the 2021 regular season.

Thankfully the stalemate finally broke in the first week of December but in spite of that no official timeline has yet been set by the league for its much anticipated return. We still have no official date, the rumors all suggest that January 13th will be that date however, but the latest from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun would appear to suggest that the two sides are scrambling to get a deal done.

According to LeBrun the league and the players' association went all out over the weekend with non-stop negotiations in an effort to get things done, negotiations that continue into today. The two sides are reportedly going "back and forth on season protocols, transition rules, critical dates."

If you're anything like me and are sick and tired of hearing about these talks between the league and the players association I've got even more good news however. The insider also reports that there is "hope" on both sides that a deal will get worked out in the next few days, something that would in turn facilitate a vote from each side before the end of this week. 

With there being talk of some training camps kicking off as early as December 27th the decision could not come soon enough, and hopefully this time around we won't be getting any more delays in the process.