David Clarkson is still hopeful that the NHLPA and the NHL can avoid a lockout. "I think you've always got to believe," he said. "As players, we want what we believe is fair. We have a lot of confidence in Mr. Fehr and he's been amazing. You look at the proposals we've made to the NHL and fans and people thought it could have went a lot of ways and I think the way we went about it with trying to help the other teams, I've been very excited to have somebody like Don Fehr on our side and to learn from him." Clarkson flew Wednesday from Toronto to Vail, Colorado to train under Andy O'Brien with a group of 15 to 20 NHL players for five days, which is part of his annual off-season routine.