NEW YORK -- The NHL and NHL Players' Association are back at the bargaining table.

The sides have resumed talks for the first time since the lockout was enacted and are expected to discuss secondary issues, including health and safety.

Meetings are scheduled throughout the weekend.

Time is running short for the NHL to avoid the cancellation of the scheduled Oct. 11 start to the regular season.

All of the exhibition games have already been wiped out and a new CBA would need to be drawn up by the middle of next week for the regular season to start on time.