NHLPA head speaks in Toronto

The head of the NHLPA spoke Saturday at a meeting of the Canadian Autoworkers Union in Toronto, maintaining a deal was close in recent talks.

Donald Fehr says the league and the players were close to an agreement before talks broke off Thursday night.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at the time he didn’t think the owners and players were close to a deal.

Fehr says he has not spoken directly with representatives of the league and that no further talks have been scheduled.

He remained optimistic, however, saying that talks were now further ahead than they were a week ago; even after the negotiations collapsed between the owners and players.