WJBD - National Sports - NHL Negotiations Once Again Require Mediator

National Sports

NEW YORK (AP) - 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 Thursday morning.

Neither side would characterize

the talks or address what, if any, progress has been made.

Bettman has told the union that a

deal must be in place by Jan. 11 in order for a 48-game season to be played

beginning eight days later.