While the NHL and the NHLPA stay away from the negotiating table, discussions have taken place behind the scenes in an effort to restart labor talks, according to an ESPN.com report.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr have discussed procedural details that soon could lead to a continuation of negotiations that broke off last week, perhaps as early as this week.

The current CBA between the NHL and the NHLPA expires on Sept. 15, and Gary Bettman has said he will impose a lockout then if a new deal hasn't been reached.