NHL, players’ association resume secondary talks as lockout continues

NEW YORK, N.Y. – NHL labour talks have resumed, with both sides still focusing on secondary matters and not the core economic issues that continue to divide owners and players in a league-imposed lockout.

Steve Fehr, special counsel to the players’ association, and Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ron Hainsey are representing the NHLPA, and arrived at league headquarters on Tuesday morning without speaking to reporters.

Now, in its third week, the lockout has wiped out the entire preseason and has forced many players to head overseas to play on month-to-month contracts. Others who are eligible to play at the lower levels opened training camp last week with American Hockey League affiliates.

Depending on the progress of the talks, the next step could come this week, when the NHL may announce the postponement of the start of the regular season, which was scheduled to open on Oct. 11.