The NHL and the NHLPA have until Sept. 15 to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement before the old one expires. The NHL has made an offer to the players, but the players have yet to make their counteroffer back to the league. That counteroffer is likely to be the topic of discussion at the NHLPA's regional meeting in Chicago on Thursday and Friday.

The @nhlpa will hold a regional meeting Thursday and Friday in Chicago to discuss CBA negotiations. #Blackhawks

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) August 15, 2012

If the two sides can't agree on a deal before Sept. 15, then a lockout will begin in earnest, which could include the cancellation of training camps and eventually preseason and regular season games.

The NHLPA is headed by Donald Fehr, who directed baseball's player association from 1986-2009.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Blackhawks' offseason, head over to Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey. And for more news and notes from around hockey, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.