from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,

Here are four newsworthy items to digest from Wednesday night's negotiating session:

1. Mediator Scot Beckenbaugh is back in the picture. This is interesting because the last mediation session -- held in New Jersey three weeks ago -- was such a dismal failure. Commissioner Bettman said both sides requested Beckenbaugh's presence, and he has asked the NHL and the NHLPA to be back in the league's Manhattan offices by 10 am (ET) Thursday.

Beckenbaugh's presence signals two things, I think: the two sides want to make a deal, but are having a difficult time finding common ground at this point. They're hoping he can help.

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