Talks resumed in the ongoing effort to end the NHL lockout on Tuesday in New York between 18 players and six owners -- without Mark McGwire Jersey union head Donald Fehr or NHL commi sioner Gary Bettman present.Five-and-a-half hours later, they were still talking and before Wednesday's Board of Governors meeting. If that sounds like it's positive, it's probably because it is. In fact, all the early indications are things are positive.When the meeting was scheduled, expectations were predictably low. It didn't seem that there was much hope of progre s considering federal mediators couldn't bring the sides closer and it didn't seem likely there would be much give and take, neither side seemed to have much room for making headway. In short, it seemed like it was going to be another colo Kolten Wong Jersey sal waste of time.As the day goes on, that is starting to change. For an indication, see this from Chris Botta of the Sports Busine s Journal, one of the more pe simistic people in this lockout. Text from player source: "You were wrong. Wasn't a waste. Will know more by Thursday. Good meeting. I'm optimistic." Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) Why the cautious turn in the tenor? Perhaps it has been the introduction of fresh blood to the negotiations. There are some owners who haven't been part of the proce s before that have been involved in this latest go-round. Owners like the Penguins' Ron Burkle, a man described as being Carlos Martinez Jersey player-friendly and a definite moderate.It seems like his presence has been nothing but positive.Hearing that Ron Burkle has been voice of reason today. Obviously, with Crosby in room it creates a interesting dynamic. John Shannon ( Paul DeJong Jersey @JSportsnet) The most common phrase being thrown acro s the hockey media world tonight is cautious optimism, so it's important to remember that there is still plenty of work to be done. It's also important to remember that we haven't heard directly from the parties involved in this meeting and things could change. Things could also change when their heads are given all the details and after the NHL's Board of Governors.Or it might even change in the late-night se sion as it appears the heads on each side are returning to the negotiations.Now it appears both Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr will Tim McCarver Jersey be joining tonight's meetings. Josh Rimer (@JoshRimerHockey) If things do turn sour, can you imagine the heat that will be Bettman and Fehr after it seemed like things were actually going well?But all things considered right now, it seems like progre s is the word of the day.