NEW YORK -- For the first time since talks resumed earlier this week, the NHL and NHL Players' Association broke their silence Thursday. And although neither side offered much insight into the state of negotiations, it appears progress has been made.

The sides met for more than five hours on Thursday and resumed meeting again Friday at 10 a.m. NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr also said the union would be willing to meet this weekend, if necessary. According to the NHLPA,

Chris Campoli, Mathieu Darche, Ron Hainsey, George Parros and Kevin Westgarth were in New York Friday for the meetings.

A union spokesman said there will be multiple meetings between the sides Friday to discuss collective bargaining matters.