The NHL Players’ Association did not file a disclaimer of interest Wednesday night, which was its self-imposed deadline to do so. Had they disclaimed interest, the players would no longer be represented by the union and would be able to file individual lawsuits against the owners deeming the lockout illegal.

The union still has the option to do so, but the sides met late into the night — past midnight, which was the deadline — on Wednesday and early Thursday as progress continued to be made toward a new collective bargaining agreement. According to Sporstnet’s Michael Grange, the NHL has moved on their stance regarding compliance buyouts, as owners have agreed for each team to have two prior to the 2013-14 season. Last Thursday’s proposal was the first to include compliance buyouts at all on the owners’ side.

Among the remaining issues is the salary cap for the 2013-14 season, as the league wants it to be set at $60 million, while the players want it to be $65 million.