The stalled labor impasse has gone a new route, with the NHL and NHLPA agreeing to meet with a mediator.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service director George Cohen broke the news Monday afternoon.

"While we have no particular level of expectation going into this process, we welcome a new approach in trying to reach a resolution of the ongoing labor dispute at the earliest possible date," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "We have no further comment on the upcoming meetings at the current time."

The NHL and union confirmed to ESPN.com they had accepted an invitation from federal mediators to meet with them. A source said the first meeting will be Wednesday.