Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- The National Hockey League and its players union met for more than six hours today with no progress made toward a new collective bargaining agreement. No future talks are scheduled, NHL Chief Legal Officer Bill Daly said.

``There is still a long way to go,'' Daly said after the meeting concluded in New York. ``The focus now turns to 2005- 06.''

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman canceled the season on Feb. 16 after the league and union couldn't reach a new collective bargaining agreement. It was the first time a North American sports league lost a full season due to a labor dispute. The players proposed a $49 million per team salary cap, while the owners offered a $42.5 million limit per club.

``It's 100 percent certain coming out of today's meeting that nothing could impact the cancellation of the season,'' chief union negotiator Ted Saskin told ESPN television.

The NHL says its teams had $500 million in losses over the past two seasons. Even with each side making concessions this week -- the NHL dropped its demand to fix payrolls as a percentage of revenue and the union agreed to accept the salary cap concept -- Daly said the sides are still far apart.

``There remain significant differences that need to be discussed and resolved by the parties,'' Daly said.

Gretzky, Lemieux

Daly and Saskin were joined at today's session by Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, both participating in talks for the first time. Gretzky is a managing partner for the Phoenix Coyotes. Lemieux is the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

``We had a constructive meeting, and we only hope they will continue meeting for the betterment of the NHL and its fans,'' Gretzky said in a statement.

Bettman and union executive director Bob Goodenow didn't attend the session, Daly said.

The NHL locked players out of training camp on Sept. 16, about a month before the season was scheduled to begin.

To contact the reporter on this story: Allan Kreda in New York at akreda@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 19, 2005 19:01 EST