Ice Hockey: NHL season ticks by with no end to lockout

TORONTO - As the clock ticks down on hope of any semblance of an ice hockey season, the National Hockey League (NHL) wants to hold talks with the Players' Association in the very near future.

After small-scale talks failed to bring a resolution last week, NHL executive vice president Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail that he hopes to talk again this week.

"I will be disappointed if we don't meet again this week to continue talks," Daly told the newspaper.

After last week's meetings in Chicago and Toronto, the NHL painted a picture that the talks were constructive and Daly said he would like to build on that.

"What we'd like to do is take back what was discussed last week, including some of the things we heard from the union, incorporate them into our thinking and come up with ideas that might lead to more productive discussions this week," Daly added.

While the league believed some good came out of last week's meetings, the NHLPA - specifically president Trevor Linden - disagreed.

The Hockey News reported that Linden posted an audio message on the union's secure website telling members to prepare for the lockout to head deep into next season.

The lockout reached its 131st day today.

- REUTERS