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Report: NHLPA requests federal mediation...again

George Cohen

Nine days after the NHL and NHLPA first met with federal mediators, the topic of mediation has been re-introduced.

That’s the word out of New York on Thursday as Sportsnet’s John Shannon reports the NHLPA has requested the return of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the group that met with the league and players’ union over a two-day stretch in late November.

As for how that request was received? Uhh...

Not clear if mediators will re-enter NHL talks. Hear Players raised issue. Owners said no then yes. Meanwhile, mediators not available. #NHL

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) December 6, 2012


NHLPA has asked NHL to bring mediators back into the process. League has not agreed to this point...

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 6, 2012


Yeah, clear as mud.

On Nov. 28, the NHL and NHLPA met with a panel of mediators assigned by FMCS director George H. Cohen, comprised of FMCS Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh (acting director of the FMCS during the NHL’s last lockout), Director of Mediation Services John Sweeney and, for a brief moment, a mediator named Guy Serota -- who was quickly removed once it was learned he had a super creepy Twitter account.

After two days of mediation, talks broke off and both the NHL and NHLPA released statements claiming “no progress” had been made.

Update: From Mullen, here’s NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who confirmed the NHL is supposed to meet with the NHLPA this afternoon...

NHL’s Daly: “Won’t know what our position might be on mediators (or whether we even need mediators) until the conclusion of that meeting.”

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) December 6, 2012