TORONTO - Union chief Donald Fehr said he was sticking to his belief that the NHL and the players' association were close to a deal before talks broke off Thursday night.


NHL commissioner Gary Bettman angrily disputed the claim Thursday night.

Fehr said that he hasn't spoken directly with NHL representatives, and that no talks were scheduled. He added that negotiations were further ahead than a week ago, even after the collapse of talks.

The union executive director also said there is a tentative agreement on a pension plan, to be funded by the players, but other key issues, including salaries and contract lengths, are further away from being settled.