Bertuzzi: Little hope

Detroit Red Wings veteran Todd Bertuzzi expressed little hope Monday that there will be an NHL season. “Not very optimistic,” he said after a scantily attended players-run practice. “I see us losing a year.” The NHL has been shuttered since Sept. 16, the day owners locked out players after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. The last time the two sides were at odds over a CBA, the entire 2004-05 season was wiped out. There was a glimmer of hope Monday when it was announced that federal mediators are entering the stalled labor talks. George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, said Monday the parties had agreed to use the agency. He assigned three mediators to assist negotiations. – Wire services