NEW YORK – Negotiations between the NHL and the locked-out players' association lasted deep into Tuesday night, and went well enough that the sides agreed to return to the bargaining table for more talks Wednesday.

Both sides kept details close to the vest after the meeting that lasted more than seven hours. That also could be taken as an optimistic sign that the second round of talks in four days went well.

The marathon session — on Day 52 of the lockout — was held at an undisclosed location in New York, at request of the NHL, in order for the sides to be able to talk without any potential distractions.