It appears the mediation route will not spell the end of the lockout. The NHL and NHL Players' Association met for the second straight day Thursday but gained no traction in brokering a new collective bargaining agreement through the use of a federal mediator. "After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded that the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time. We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. However, the two sides may be entertaining a different option. Multiple sources told ESPNNewYork.com that commissioner Gary Bettman proposed to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr a meeting between owners and players only, with no league or NHLPA staff present. Fehr is believed to be considering the option but has yet to respond to the league. Source: ESPN
