NEW YORK -- A self-imposed deadline for the NHL Players' Association to file a "disclaimer of interest" passed with no indication of what the union decided.
The NHLPA's executive board had until just before midnight on Wednesday to declare that it was dissolving -- a move that could open the door for players to file anti-trust lawsuits against the league.
However, top union representatives remained in meetings with the league beyond midnight, according to sources.
The sides held another long day of talks with both continuing to trade proposals in a bid to save a shortened season.
Very few details of what is on the table emerged publicly with both sides closing ranks at a critical stage in negotiations.
The league has set a Jan. 11 deadline to preserve a 48-game season and there was still some hope that 52 games could be squeezed in if an agreement was reached this week.
Players voted unanimously last month to give the 30-member executive board the authority to file a "disclaimer of interest" on their behalf. Even if they let the deadline pass, they will retain the option to hold another vote to restore the power in the future.
