NHL Deal not done -- Season remains cancelled

Despite numerous media reports that a deal would be reached Saturday at a meeting in New York between the NHL and it's players, the two sides came out of 6 1/2 hours of meetings still apparently miles away from a deal.

The Hockey News reported that an anonymous player had told them a deal was reached in principle on Friday. Saturday's meeting involved two of hockey's greatest, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky and perhaps their involvement created a false sense of hope.

NHL executive Bill Daly told TSN: “Our discussions revealed that we remain as far apart a we believed we were last week. The rumors that the parties were close or had in fact reached a deal were greatly exaggerated. There is still a long way to go.”

The Players association is painting a bleak picture after a surprise meeting that many thought would lead to an "Un-cancellation," of the season.

"The season was cancelled on Wednesday and it's certainly not going to be resurrected after today," Ted Saskin, senior director of the NHLPA, told reporters.

"It's 100 per cent certain coming out of today's meeting that nothing could impact the cancellation of the season."

No further talks are scheduled between the two sides.