NHL lockout 2012: League, union make no progress with mediator

The NHL and NHLPA met at what had previously been an undisclosed location in New Jersey on Wednesday, as federal mediators attempted once more to bridge the gap between the two sides. The league and the union did not meet face to face, as mediators worked back and forth with the two sides in separate rooms.

At the conclusion of the meetings, initial reports stated that once again things did not go well in the ongoing negotiations:

The key to that report, however, is that the “take it or leave it” offer that the NHL remains firm on was supposedly pulled off the table last week when talks fell apart in New York City. While federal mediators were once again unable to get the two sides closer together, the NHL and NHLPA remain extremely close on the proposals being discussed.

Three key issues remain under contention, including a proposed 10-year term limit on the CBA and seven- and five-year term restrictions on all new contracts. The NHL holds steady on it’s demand that the NHLPA agrees to these three key points or else a deal will not be made. While there is not a formal offer on the table, reports indicate that the offer from last week still stands.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly met briefly with the media following the conclusion of the meeting, initially stating that there was nothing to report and that a new proposal is not on the table. Daly did not, however, state that talks were once again breaking off.

“There is no conclusion to this process right now,” said Daly.

“It wasn’t much of a decision,” said Morrison.

There are no future meetings scheduled.