NEW YORK, - Although NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr refused to tell reporters whether or not the players' association had filed a "disclaimer of interest" after he emerged from a four hour bargaining session with the owners in New York, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said following Wednesday's session that no disclaimer had been filed by the union. 

A self-imposed deadline for the NHL Players' Association to file a "disclaimer of interest" passed at 11:59 p.m.  Fehr was tight-lipped about the issue, saying it was an internal matter. Bettman said the issue was never brought up during Wednesday's bargaining session and the league was never notified that a disclaimer had been filed.

Both Fehr and Bettman acknowledged that a federal mediator was present during Wednesday's session at the request of both sides, and has been involvedin the process all week.  At the request of the mediator, both sides will meet again Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m.

Fehr told reporters that the two sides moved closer on some issues but added there's still a way's to go if a deal is to be reached. Bettman acknolwedged the pension plan is a very complicated issue, "but that is something we understand is important to the players."

The PA is expected to again to ask for authorization to file a disclaimer, if a deal isn't struck soon.