TORONTO, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A meeting was scheduled for Saturday between NHL and union officials amid speculation the hockey season might be saved after all.
The Hockey News reported Friday that a deal "in principle" had been reached between owners and players and that an announcement could come as early as Saturday.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman canceled the league's season last Wednesday, an announcement that came after progress had apparently been made toward a settlement.
The NHL Players Association announced Friday that league officials had requested a meeting and that one would take place Saturday in New York.
The Hockey News said behind-the-scenes negotiations had been taking place since Bettman's announcement and that Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux had been involved.
Gretzky, the sport's all-time leading scorer, is now managing partner for Phoenix and Lemieux is chairman of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The reported deal includes a salary cap of $45 million per team.
