EDMONTON, Alberta -- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that collective bargaining talks with the players have been "constructive, professional and cordial," but there was no announcement of a new deal ahead of the Stanley Cup Final.

"We started a little bit later than we had anticipated for a variety of reasons on both sides, so I don't have an announcement to make today that we have a deal," Bettman said hours before Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers . "We have more than a year to go, and I think we're in a really good place in terms of our relationship."

The current CBA expires Sept. 15, 2026. The two sides didn't start in-depth negotiations until April. Bettman said earlier this year that an agreement could come prior to the Cup Final.

Marty W

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