via TSN,

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr spoke briefly on Saturday and may touch base again on Sunday as the expiration date on the current collective bargaining agreement draws closer.

The league and the Players' Association held informal discussions on Friday but will not meet on Saturday, one week before the September 15 deadline.

The league has said it plans to lock out the players if a new deal isn't in place by then.

"(We're) trying to find a way to bridge the gap," said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr on Friday. "That's always the intent."

"We'd like to make a deal," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday. "There is an ebb and flow to negotiations. It's always good to have dialogue."