NHL and union make progress in labor talks

Marathon talks between the NHL and the players' association stretched deep into Saturday night and then Sunday morning after the sides stayed apart for most of the previous two days.

Once federal mediator, Scot Beckenbaugh, convinced the fighting factions to resume face-to-face negotiations on Saturday afternoon, they were able to make progress. While no one commented publicly on what was accomplished, it was reported that headway was being made on key issues such as the pension plan and salary cap limits.

The sides began meeting about 1 pm EST and were still talking at 1:30 am. It was the longest session of the lockout and the second marathon meeting of the week. The league and the union talked until 1 am on Thursday before negotiations hit a snag.