The IOC has outlined a target date for the NHL, and its pending decision on player participation at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

"There is a date set at Jan. 15 to find an agreement," IOC executive director Christophe Dubi told the Associated Press.

"Until then it will be work between all parties involved to make sure that we get the participation of the very best, and that's for both Pyeongchang and Beijing (host of the 2022 games)."

While the NHL has tempered expectations, the IOC is becoming increasingly hopeful. Dubi called the NHL's decision to pay an inspection visit later this month "reassuring," and a "very positive step" toward hosting a best-on-best tournament that's objectively most important in the minds of players and fans.