NHLPA authorizes $10,000 stipend for players as lockout drags on: Report

The executive board of the National Hockey Players' Association has authorized a $10,000 stipend to all of its players, sports broadcaster TSN is reporting.

With the NHL lockout in its 77th day on Saturday, the players have now missed four paycheques as a result of the labour stoppage.

The league and players' union met with U.S. federal mediators in New Jersey this week but little progress was made in the collective bargaining process.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held a conference call with the NHLPA on Friday to discuss the league's offer of an owner-player meeting.

Hockey insiders say the players are expected to respond to the league's proposal of a meeting no later than Saturday.