Mediation a bust

Thursday, 29 November 2012 16:35

Written by Shelly Anderson

Next?

Mediation in the collective bargaining agreements between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association didn't help. It has ended after two days.

"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," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statment. "We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful."

While the league probably won't make more cancellations right away -- the schedule is wiped out through Dec. 14 -- it's unclear what happens next.

There are reports that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman suggested a meeting limited to players and owners, with no officials from either side. The players also have hinted about decertification of the union or filling a related disclaimer of interest, which would end collective bargaining and allow every player to fend for himself and go after the league legally to end the lockout.

Options are beginning to be pretty limited, folks, unless one side or the other does some quick and unexpected caving.