Vincent Lecavalier also optimistic

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier is hopeful that the negotiations between the owners and the players association that resume on Today (Tuesday), will be heading in the right direction:

"Hopefully, it's for real this time and they start talking and get it done."

On Saturday, deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly and players union special counsel Steve Fehr laid the groundwork for Tuesday's negotiations. On Sunday, the two agreed to a provision that would protect current players contracts under a plan that would reduce the percentage of revenue from 57 percent to 50 percent.

Former Lightning center Brad Richards is waiting to see the details to this new deal. Back in October, the owners rejected three counter proposals in less than 10 minutes, so he is not getting overly optimistic that this new deal will be the end all:

"I mean, you're always happy when they're talking, but staying even keel is probably smarter," Richards said. "Last time, I thought the proposals we were working on, we would negotiate, and 10 minutes later it was over.I don't want to sound pessimistic but I'm not going to jump the ship here, either. We'll see how this week goes."

The NHL has already cancelled games through November because of the strike and has also cancelled this year's Winter Classic, which had been scheduled between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on New Year's Day.