Florida Panthers hockey player Stephen Weiss controls the puck during an informal skate in Coral Springs, Fla., Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. With a lockout drawing ever closer, the NHL and the players' union are in touch with each other after a day of internal meetings. But no new negotiating sessions are scheduled for Friday, one day before Commissioner Gary Bettman has said he will lock out the players. This would be the NHL's fourth work stoppage since 1992. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)