The NHL Players' Association is getting ready to call in the big boys. A league source told the Sun last night that the union is expected to ask certified agents to report to Toronto on Nov. 17 to discuss with NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow where negotiations are headed in the quest to get a collective bargaining agreement in place.

The player representatives -- including Ottawa's Todd White and Wade Redden --will gather in Toronto on Tuesday for a meeting with the NHLPA executive committee. Other players are being told they're welcome to go if they'd like to get an update.

With the exception of former player Bobby Orr, no other agent has made any public comments during the lockout.

A source said that's because "there's not really much point in saying anything right now."

"I'm sure this will just be a chance for the union to sit down with the agents and let them know what's going to happen and what could take place if the season is cancelled," one agent said yesterday.

"I think you're not hearing anything because the agents are just letting Goodenow and his people handle it. I know the players are getting frustrated because they want to see some negotiations. I'm sure that meeting in Toronto Tuesday is going to be pretty interesting."

A source said although NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin and NHL VP Bill Daly met this week for two hours, they talked about CBA-related matters for only 15 minutes.

bruce.garrioch@ott.sunpub.com