The NHL and NHLPA can't agree to meet, according to a late report by ESPN.com.

The NHLPA says it has invited the league back to the table as long as there are no strings attached.

After the union's executive board call Tuesday, the NHLPA "informed the NHL we are willing to meet tomorrow or any other date, without preconditions, to try to reach an agreement," spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon said via email. "We hope to hear from them soon."

But the NHL's response was swift.

"They have made it clear to us that they have very little interest in the proposal we made last Tuesday," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Tuesday night. "They also told us they have no intention of making a new proposal. I'm not sure what we would be meeting about."