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While the CBA talks have centered around contract length and the duration of the new bargaining agreement, key issues like Olympic participation and realignment still need to be hammered out.

Blog | Conversation | December 14, 2012

The head of the NHL players' union said Monday that negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement will begin "very quickly" -- perhaps as early as this week -- and didn't rule out talks stretching into the season.

Wayne Gretzky saw firsthand how far apart NHL players and owners are from the end of the lockout. And when the sides get back to the bargaining table, either Thursday or Friday, they will be beginning anew.