from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

A sense of what had been described by one source as “cautious optimism” during the midpoint of yesterday’s lengthy NHL owners-players meeting was markedly tempered when the session concluded around midnight.

As such, even after 7 1/2 hours of interaction between six owners and 18 players, the 2012-13 season remains in jeopardy.

“I don’t know ... I’ve been optimistic before and nothing has come of it,” a source on the NHLPA side told The Post after the meeting. “I’ll feel a lot better when I actually see what the league is willing to give.”

The parties are scheduled to reconvene this morning before the Board of Governors meets. It is likely commissioner Gary Bettman will present a drop-dead date to the owners if the morning session does not produce measurable progress.

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