NHL lockout: league, NHLPA 'very far apart' in talks

As the NHL lockout continues well into November, not only can the NHL and NHLPA not come to an agreement on a new CBA, but the two sides cannot even publicly agree on how far apart they stand in negotiations.

According to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly stated that the two sides are "very far apart" in negotiations, stating as well that neither side has discussed the possibility of a federal mediator.

Special counsel to the NHLPA Steve Fehr disagrees and states that a deal can quickly be reached as soon as a breakthrough in negotiations occurs.

As negotiations have continued throughout Nov., a new stumbling block has arisen whenever an issue appears to have been resolved. The two major problems at the heart of the talks is player contracts and the players' share in the first month of the CBA, which would technically be the shortened 2012-13 season. According to Daly, the players are asking for 65 percent of revenue in the first year of the deal while demanding full value from the current contracts.

There are no further meetings scheduled.