'Progress' on NHL lockout talks

The NHL believes it has made progress in negotiations with the players' union aimed at settling their labour dispute.

The two sides completed 22 hours of meetings over two days on Friday and promised further talks.

"We had two long days of meetings in which the parties discussed and made progress on some of the key issues," said NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly.

But NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin warned: "It is clear that much work remains to be done."

The league and union were trying to agree on a way the team-by-team upper salary cap could move each year depending on revenues.

The union proposal contained an upper cap of $50m and a floor of $30m.

The NHL made a new offer to the players this month, but that did not lead to any immediate progress.

NHL officials have repeatedly said this is a critical time to reach a deal.

The league wants to line up its sponsors and advertisers and settle its TV deals during the summer so play can begin on time in October.

By reaching an agreement now, teams also could begin selling season tickets after a full season lost to the lockout.