TORONTO -- A face-to-face meeting between top officials from the NHL and NHL Players Association wasnt enough to break their labour stalemate. The sides spent almost five hours together Monday going over accounting for last season, but didnt emerge with any plan to resume collective bargaining talks. In fact, the topic wasnt even raised, according to representatives from each camp. Nine days into the lockout, negotiations remain on hold with both the owners and players entrenched in their positions. "Obviously, weve got to talk before you can get a deal, so I think its important to get the talks going again," said deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "But you also have to have something to say. I think its fair to say we feel like we need to hear from the players association in a meaningful way because I dont think that theyve really moved off their initial proposal, which was made more than a month ago now. "No bargaining (is) scheduled, but we have kept in close contact. Its fair to say both sides are working, but theyre working internally right now." Steve Fehr, the NHLPAs special counsel, declined comment following the meeting. Neither NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr or NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attended the meeting. But the two men took in an NHL alumni dinner Monday night and Daly indicated the sides were expected to make further contact on Tuesday. The parties last sat down together on Sept. 12, when the NHLPA presented a proposal that was quickly countered by the league. Neither offer gained much traction and the NHL locked out the players three days later. Not only are the sides far apart on financial issues -- they are roughly $1-billion apart based on the latest proposals -- but theyve also failed to find agreement on process. While the league has remained adamant about the need for the sides to discuss only the economic system that governs the sport, the union has said it would be willing to continue negotiations on the other aspects of the agreement that need to be worked out. In the meantime, players have started predicting it will be another prolonged lockout. Rick Nash told a Swiss reporter last week that the work stoppage could span an entire year and Detroit Red Wings forward Danny Cleary repeated that sentiment after an informal skate on Monday. "Just trying to be realistic," Cleary told the Detroit Free Press. "I think the league is waiting for us to make the move, and were waiting for them to move. So someone has to move. And I dont see it coming from our end. "Weve given them a couple of good options that they can work with, and they, obviously, feel its not good enough." Daly isnt willing to entertain the notion that the season could be lost. The league has called off Septembers exhibition games, but he remains hopeful an agreement can be reached in time to start the regular season as scheduled on Oct. 11. "Im hoping that some of (the players) pessimism is almost an intentional pessimism because certainly thats not where our mindset is," said Daly. "We dont want an extended work stoppage, we dont want to miss any regular-season games. Thats going to be our mindset until we have to cancel some." There was one piece of good news for the players Monday. Daly indicated that they will likely end up receiving almost all of the 8.5 per cent in salary that was held back from them last season in escrow -- guaranteeing at least one decent payday next month. They are due to receive the first of 13 paycheques for the upcoming season on Oct. 15, but that appears less and less likely with each day that passes without meaningful negotiations. Still, Daly believes the sides are "light years" ahead of where they found themselves in 2004, when three months went by after the beginning of the lockout before talks started. "Weve been talking within the same framework, weve had a lot of discussions about a lot of ground in a lot of the other areas we need to," he said. "But obviously we still have a financial divide we have to find out how to bridge." NFL Jerseys China . Mitch Holmberg scored once and setup two more as Spokane defeated host Tri-City 5-2 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action. Cheap Jerseys From China . Hes trying to make up for lost time. Bruce connected for a three-run, opposite-field homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night that sent the Reds over the New York Mets 3-0. http://www.nfljerseysch... . Veteran Darian Durant is nursing a hip flexor and did not practise this week. 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LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter threw 50 pitches on Tuesday in a three-inning simulated game, taking another step in a bid to bolster the clubs NL wild card chances. The 37-year-old right-hander underwent surgery in July to relieve nerve compression that resulted in numbness on much of the right side of his body in July, with the hope he could return for spring training. He upped the ante Tuesday, four days after working two innings in Washington. "It was a good day," Carpenter said. "Hopefully the next few days Ill recover nicely and well do it again." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was enthusiastic, too. "The ball was jumping out of his hand. Its really in his finish," Matheny said. "He has sink, he has cut, which he wasnt really able to do before." Still, Matheny is trying his best to keep expectations realistic for a pitcher sidelined since spring training. Several times he sidestepped questions, and grew increasingly annoyed, when asked when the 2005 NL Cy Young winner might be ready or how he would be used -- or even if he would be used in the post-season without throwing in the regular season. "I dont know how to make it any clearer," Matheny said. "Were taking today, and Im not counting on him to do anything except come back tomorrow and tell us how he felt. "My philosophy is to just let the guy go pitch, and itll work itself out in time. Id like to say I apologize but that wouldnt be sincere." Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday that if Carpenter returns, it will be as a starter. "I want to be able to pitch," Carpenter said. "I also need to make sure Im good enough to help this ballclub. Weve got some quality guys. Ive got to get my stuff right, get my command right, get my pitch limit up to where I can give us a positive effort." Carpenter said the plan calls for bullpen sessions Friday and Monday as he continues to build strength. He could replace either rookie Joe Kelly, 5-6 with a 3.34 ERA, or lefty Jaime Garcia, 3-6 with a 4.52 ERA entering Tuesdays start against the Mets,, in the rotation.dddddddddddd After the operation in Dallas, the hope was that Carpenter could return in time for spring training. Carpenter gave himself the best chance by staying in shape before surgery. "Coming out of it, we knew it was a shot if I could get strong," Carpenter said. "I went into it strong and I came out of it strong, so I was ahead of the game to begin with, and my arm came back nicely. "Were moving in the right direction." The Cardinals added another arm for their playoff drive, purchasing the contract of top pitching prospect Shelby Miller from Triple-A Memphis. The 21-year-old Miller was the Cardinals first-round pick in 2009 and had a big August, going 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA in six starts, after inconsistent performances much of the year. Millers regular day in the Memphis rotation would be Wednesday, but he was available in the Cardinals bullpen on Tuesday night. "We brought him here to use him," Matheny said. "Its not just a gift trip. He pitched very well and hes one of the best arms we have in the system. Were in a push here, so we need to have our best ready." Matheny said in addition to pitching well lately, Miller has matured. Miller said the only time he has thrown out of the bullpen was in a pair of Futures Games. "I guess Ill grab a ball, start getting hot, and theyll put me in," Miller said. "I think Ill get a good idea once it actually happens and once Im in there." Miller had been hoping to get the call to the majors. "Even if you dont start too hot, good things can still happen," Miller said. "I tried to keep a positive look at it all year, and Im here." St. Louis also recalled outfielder Adron Chambers and infielder Ryan Jackson from Memphis. The 25-year-old Chambers has played in 23 games for the Cardinals, batting .250 in 36 at-bats. The 24-year-old Jackson played in seven games last month in his first big-league action. Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran missed his second straight start because of soreness in his left knee, but Matheny said he was close to returning. ' ' '