The NHL and NHL Players' Association are turning to mediation in an effort to solve their labour dispute.

With negotiations stalled on a new collective bargaining agreement, the sides have agreed to allow U.S. federal mediators
into the process.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service says the negotiations ``will now be conducted under our auspices.''

Deputy director Scot L. Beckenbaugh, director of mediation services John Sweeney and commissioner Guy Serota have been assigned to the case.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email that he hopes they'll be able to sit in on a session as soon as this week.

The NHL and NHLPA haven't met since last week, when the union tabled a proposal that commissioner Gary Bettman said still left the sides ``far apart.''