The Hockey Alliance is reporting that an agreement between the National Hockey League and its Players Association has finally been reached.  Sources report that, after weeks of speculation that a deal was close, the two sides completed the final details of the agreement early Wednesday morning. 

The agreement still must be formally put to paper, which may yet take a day or so, but once it is put together, it will go to the rank and file of the NHLPA for ratification.  While there is NO guarantee that the players WILL agree to the terms of the new deal, all indications are that the players realize the union screw up negotiations for them and that they have to take the deal and get back onto the ice for the sake of the game.  More details to come as they become available.