The NHL continues to work toward an agreement for participation in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, with a tentative two-week period slated for February.

According to the International Ice Hockey Federation's website, the NHL would take its break from Feb. 9-24, 2014, assuming NHL players participate.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed those dates via email but said the participation has yet to be finalized.

"Still working through issues and making slow progress," Daly told ESPNNewYork.com. "Not a done deal yet."

IIHF president Rene Fasel expressed optimism about resolving the remaining issues and reaching an agreement after a meeting among the main stakeholders, including the IIHF, IOC, NHL and NHLPA, in Stockholm, Sweden, this week.

"We are working hard to putting [sic] together the last pieces to ensure NHL players' participation in Sochi," Fasel said, according to the IIHF website. "We have some issues left, but I, as always, remain optimistic."