NHL, players' union open labor negotiations

NEW YORK (AP) - The NHL and the players' union have opened negotiations on a new labor deal.

A league spokesman says Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly met with NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, union special counsel Steve Fehr and several player reps at the league's Manhattan offices.

Neither the league nor the union would comment on what was discussed in Friday's 2 1/2-hour meeting.

Among the players in attendance were Scott Hartnell of the Flyers, Rick DiPietro of the Islanders and George Parros of the Anaheim Ducks.

This was the first formal talks between the two sides, and come after the NHLPA's executive board held a three-day meeting in Chicago earlier this week.

The collective bargaining agreement expires Sept. 15.