Donald Fehr says it's essentially status quo after the NHLPA met Wednesday night in Chicago, and the notion of postponing the union's opt-out deadline hasn't been broached, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The NHLPA's executive director said no decisions were made or were scheduled to be made at the meeting of the group's executive board, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

However, Fehr added it was a good conversation and more CBA discussions with the NHL would be upcoming, according to LeBrun.

He added that the two sides are scheduled to resume talks Friday in New York.

Fehr said the players haven't decided whether to opt out of the current CBA and that Sept. 15 is a "soft deadline," according to Postmedia's Michael Traikos.

The NHLPA has until that date to reopen the CBA if it desires. Last week, when the NHL declined to exercise its own right to do so, it was reported that there was a possibility the Sept. 15 deadline could be moved if momentum continued in discussions between the league and the union.

Approximately 50 people - including the executive board and several other players - attended the meeting, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

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The Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Josh Morrissey have begun negotiating a long-term contract extension, he told The Athletic's Ken Wiebe.

"We chatted a little bit throughout the last couple weeks and throughout the summer," he said. "It's just kind of the process of how it goes. You've been through contract negotiations, so you know how it works."

Morrissey is entering the final season of a two-year, $6.3-million bridge deal he signed last September. The 24-year-old was limited to just 59 games in 2018-19 due to injury but still managed to post a career-high 31 points while averaging 22:24 minutes per night.

He's adamant about being with the team for years to come.

"I've always maintained I want to be a Jet and I want to play here in Winnipeg," Morrissey said. "I would love to get something done. As a player, you want to go through the process and handle it the right way. I would love to play here throughout my career. We’ll see what happens."

With Jacob Trouba's departure and Dustin Byfuglien now in his mid-30s, Morrissey is expected to take on a greater role on the Jets' blue line this season.

While locking in Morrissey would certainly be a boon for the Jets, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has more immediate business to take care of. Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor are both restricted free agents, and the Jets have a projected $16.15 million in remaining cap space to sign the duo, according to CapFriendly.

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It doesn't appear Patrick Marleau will return to the San Jose Sharks after all.

Marleau's agent, Pat Brisson, told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday that the fit is not there between the player and team. However, he said Marleau still wants to play and will pursue other opportunities around the league.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Marleau this summer to the Carolina Hurricanes, who proceeded to buy him out. Marleau waived his no-trade clause to allow the move with the expressed intent on returning home to the west coast.

Marleau, 39, hasn't missed a game since the 2008-09 campaign, but he tallied just 16 goals with the Leafs last season, which was his lowest total since his rookie year in 1997-98.

The Sharks have $4.68 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly. They're still expected to bring back Joe Thornton, who remains a UFA.

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The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Clayton Keller to an eight-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

The deal reportedly carries an average annual value of $7.15 million, a source told The Athletic's Craig Morgan.

Keller is entering the final year of his entry-level contract and was set to hit restricted free agency next summer.

The 21-year-old finished as a Calder Trophy finalist in 2017-18, recording 65 points in 82 games. He endured a sophomore slump, but still managed to lead the offensively starved Coyotes with 47 points in 82 contests last season.

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