Ice hockey: Talks come and go, end of season in sight

NEW YORK - Prospects for a National Hockey league season appear unlikely after the latest talks.

Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow said no progress was made, and no further meetings were planned over the pay deadlock.

"We met the last couple of days to see if there was any common ground," said Goodenow. "That isn't the case. The parties agreed to stay in touch, but really there's no progress to report."

The NHL's latest offer featured an initial payroll range between US$32 million ($45 million) and US$42 million, and included a revised salary arbitration system and a reduction in the age for unrestricted free agency. The league also offered a 50-50 profit-sharing plan for any revenues above the negotiated threshold, which it thought the union might find attractive.

The NHL lockout is into its fifth month and even if an agreement is reached soon, it is unclear what semblance of a season the NHL could produce. The 1994-95 lockout was settled on January 11, 1995, and a 48-game campaign began later that month.

No major North American sports league has lost an entire season due to a labour dispute. A Stanley Cup champion has been crowned every year since 1893 with the exception of 1919, when the finals were cancelled after five games due to a flu epidemic.

- REUTERS