Sources: No CBA talks this week

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NEW YORK -- More than a week has passed since the NHL and NHLPA have had meaningful discussions, and that doesn't appear to be changing in the immediate future.

Sources from both sides told ESPNNewYork.com they do not expect any formal CBA sessions this week considering Friday's hearing in Edmonton with the Alberta Labour Relations Board.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed via email that he'd be attending the hearing. Alex Dagg, Director of Operations for the NHLPA, will represent the union at the hearing, as she did last Friday when a similar appeal was heard before the Quebec Labour Relations Board.

According to an ALBLRB spokesperson, the NHLPA is challenging that the league-imposed lockout, which went into effect Sunday when the collective bargaining agreement expired, is unlawful under Alberta provincial law. The NHL is, in turn, requesting that the application be dismissed "on the basis that the Labour Relations Code does not apply."

Listed as complainants in the union's filing are 21 players from the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, including Jarome Iginla, Mike Cammalleri and Ryan Smyth.

Last week, the QLRB turned down the union's request for an injunction against the impending lockout, but deferred the hearing to be heard further at a later date. No future hearing has been scheduled yet, a QLRB spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

Although Daly and PA special counsel Steve Fehr have communicated frequently in recent weeks -- the two spoke over the phone Wednesday -- the NHL and NHLPA have not had any formal negotiations since last Wednesday. The two sides exchanged proposals but failed to make any headway in preventing a lockout that had been looming for weeks.

On Wednesday, the league canceled all preseason games through Sept. 30.

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Katie Strang

ESPNNewYork.com

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Katie Strang covers the Rangers, Islanders and Devils for ESPNNewYork.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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