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NHL-NHLPA mediation over -- no progress made, no more meetings planned

NHL and NHLPA logo

The NHL and NHLPA have ended a second day of meetings with federal mediators, and it appears the two sides are no closer to reaching a new collective bargaining agreement

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports there’s “no traction or progress” coming from Thursday’s meeting, which was led by FMCS mediators Scot L. Beckenbaugh and John (Jack) Sweeney.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun adds that no further mediation sessions have been planned.

The two sides met for most of Wednesday before departing with plans to resume talks on Thursday morning.

NHLPA executive Donald Fehr offered a short statement last night, outlining that a small group of union members met with a pair of FMCS mediators -- it was expected that meetings would move from small, separate groups to today’s larger collaborative effort...which probably explains why no progress was made.

Of note, Renaud P Lavioe of RDS passes word that breaking off mediation doesn’t rule out the NHL and NHLPA using it again when (or, if) they get closer to an agreement.

We’ll have more to follow, assuming both the league and players’ union offer statements.

As for what’s next? Talks will inevitably turn to NHLPA/union decertification.

Some links:

Spurs’ Bonner cautions NHLers, says decertification “throws everything into chaos”

Daly says decertification “would likely lead to the end of the season”

Specter of decertification looms over lockout