More NHL talks scheduled

TORONTO - NHL labor negotiations will resume Wednesday, with mediators rejoining the talks at an undisclosed location in an effort to save the season.U.S. federal mediators Scot Beckenbaugh and John Sweeney are to return to the process. They took part in sessions Nov. 27-28 before deciding they couldn't help.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week that mediation "was of no value because of the position of the parties."

Tuesday marked the 87th day of the lockout. Wednesday's session will be the first meeting since the sides blamed each other after talks broke off last week.

Until then, they appeared to be making progress during 3 days in New York in which they exchanged proposals. Union executive director Donald Fehr maintains there are agreements on almost all the important issues.

In all, more than 40 percent of the regular season that was scheduled to begin Oct. 11 has been scratched.