NHL sides talk about ending lockout, just not to each other By ROB LONGLEY, QMI Agency

NHLPA executive director Don Fehr talks to media at the old Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on Wednesday night. (ERNEST DOROSZUK/QMI Agency) NHL notes: League cancels schedule through mid-January NHL announces 'mid-January' drop dead date NHLPA's Donald Fehr waiting on NHL for future lockout talks

TORONTO - Yes, Christmas is coming, but a solution to the NHL lockout?

As Day 95 of the infuriating work stoppage stretched towards Day 96 on Wednesday night, there was a lot of talk from both sides in the dispute.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to each other.

Prior to a star-studded shinnyfest at the old Maple Leaf Gardens where a charity game of 39 NHLers took place, NHLPA chief Donald Fehr extended a warm and fuzzy invitation to get back to the table — any time, any place, essentially.

Specifically, Fehr was following up on the suggestion from a player that meetings take place with NHL team owners back at the table, as they were for the sessions that ended badly two weeks ago.

To which NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told QMI Agency: Don’t hold your breath for that arrangement, hockey fans.