After his speech Saturday afternoon in Toronto to the Canadian Auto Workers, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr spoke to some reporters and maintained his stance that the players and the NHL were "very close" to making a deal Thursday night before talks broke down.
Fehr, remember, seemed to indicate a similar feeling during his inital press conference Thursday before having to return to the podium to say the league had rejected the players' proposal. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman then said it was "almost incomprehensible" Fehr felt an agreement was close.
Fehr confirmed Saturday no further talks are currently scheduled and he has not spoken to NHL officials since they broke off.
"They have not indicated a willingness to continue discussions," Fehr said. "They're the ones that called a halt to the process. ... The players have never made threats to walk out. We've had any number of threats from the other side."
---Mike Harrington
Twitter: @BNHarrington
