Let’s do lunch

The NHL and the players’ association weren’t quite ready to return to the bargaining table Saturday in New York. But they put aside their differences long enough to at least have lunch together. After negotiations hit a rough spot Friday on the fourth straight day of talks during the lockout, the sides stayed apart through the early part of Saturday. But they remained in contact during the day before meeting for a small, informal lunch in the afternoon. It was unknown if the sides would hold formal negotiations Saturday, the 56th day of the lockout that has delayed the …

The NHL and the players’ association weren’t quite ready to return to the bargaining table Saturday in New York. But they put aside their differences long enough to at least have lunch together. After negotiations hit a rough spot Friday on the fourth straight day of talks during the lockout, the sides stayed apart through the early part of Saturday. But they remained in contact during the day before meeting for a small, informal lunch in the afternoon. It was unknown if the sides would hold formal negotiations Saturday, the 56th day of the lockout that has delayed the start of the season and already forced it to be shortened. – AP