All quiet as deadline for full NHL season nears

(AP) With only hours remaining before an NHL-imposed deadline to make a deal with the players' association and preserve a full hockey season, all was quiet between the sides.

By Thursday afternoon, the sides were still not in contact.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman already painted a pessimistic picture on Wednesday, saying it was unlikely that a new collective bargaining agreement would be reached by Thursday that would allow the NHL to play a condensed 82-game schedule starting on Nov. 2.

In making its most recent offer to the players, the NHL presented a proposal that included a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenues. But that was contingent on the sides making a deal by Thursday and getting the season under way following a week of training camp.

Talks broke down last week, and the NHL turned down the union's offer to return to the table this week with no preconditions.