Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The NHL and the NHL Officials' Association, which represents referees and linesmen, reportedly agreed to a new four-year contract on Tuesday. The current deal expires this summer.

According to TSN of Canada, the new collective bargaining agreement between the two sides must still be ratified by both the NHLOA membership and the NHL board of governors. TSN's sources also say the new agreement includes higher salaries and improved pension plans for on-ice officials, but the league will have more power to re-assign or replace officials for poor performance.

All new referees and linesmen will also be legislated to wear a helmet and visors, according to TSN.

The NHL and NHLOA were excited about the positive negotiations between the two sides. The league didn't want a replay of last year's labor dispute with the NHL Players' Association. In the same tone, the NHLOA membership wasn't looking forward to a lockout of their own.