No deal yet, but NHL talks to continue

NEW YORK (AP) - After a long night of talks, the NHL and the union are to return to negotiations - but not just yet.

The sides were supposed to meet at the league office Thursday at 10 a.m. EST. That, however, did not happen.

The Players Association said it was updating its members on negotiations and no time had been set for bargaining to resume.

Both sides understand the urgency to save a shortened season. They have moved closer to one another while swapping proposals, but key issues remain - pensions and salary cap, among them.

The lockout is in its 110th day. Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that the league told the union a deal needs to be in place by next week so a 48-game season can begin Jan. 19.

WEDNESDAY TALKS

A federal mediator rejoined negotiations between the NHL and the players' association that stretched into the early hours of Thursday morning but still haven't produced a deal to get hockey back on the ice.

After a series of meetings during the day Wednesday, the sides reconvened at night and were together until nearly 1 a.m.

The biggest news to come out of the talks was that the union didn't inform the NHL that it was filing a disclaimer of interest before a self-imposed midnight deadline. Commissioner Gary Bettman said the topic never came up in discussions between the sides.

The sides were asked by the mediator to return to the bargaining table on Thursday.

Neither side would characterize the talks or address what, if any, progress has been made.

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