Try not to get your hopes up too much, puck fans, but there might be something to crack a smile about.

There is a glimmer of good news coming from overseas, as British sports agent Gareth Chalmers tweeted some inside information on the NHL lockout that he’s been hearing from his sources.

According to Chalmers, who runs 9gc group, European teams are preparing for the NHL lockout to end soon.

“I have been talking to a number of teams on the continent today who have NHL guys on their rosters,” he tweeted. “It seems that quite a few of them have been told by their NHL agents [Wednesday], to get ready to return within the next week. One GM told me [Wednesday] that a contact of his in the NHL had advised that they are now looking at [Jan. 2, 2013] restart.

“It seems to be circulating around Europe as I’ve noticed a sudden increase of teams [Wednesday] looking for new imports,” he added.

Check out his tweets below, complete with his desire for some KFC chicken (stick-tap to Puck Daddy).

Photo via Facebook/EHC Biel