NEW YORK, NY (NEWS1130) -  With the NHL labour talks stalled,  the league has accepted the NHL Players’ Association‘s suggestion and have agreed to meet with a mediator.

“While we have no particular level of expectation going into this process, we welcome a new approach in trying to reach a resolution of the ongoing labor dispute at the earliest possible date,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement.

The two sides haven’t held bargaining talks since last Wednesday, when the NHLPA offered a new proposal that was rejected by the league.

The lead federal mediator is George Cohen who has extensive experience in sports labour situations.  Cohen worked with the players’ associations for Major League Baseball, and the NBA, and was once an adviser to the NHL players’ union.  

Players continue to express their frustration over the lack of progress in talks.  Former Canuck forward Todd Bertuzzi told the Detroit media today that he sees the NHL losing a year.  

NHL Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email that he hopes that the mediators will be able to sit in on a session as soon as this week.  There are reports that talks will resume on Wednesday.