"It's a little disappointing. It's been a roller-coaster of emotions," Kelly told the Ottawa Sun. "You think you're close to getting a deal done and then things fall apart. That's the way negotiations have gone on.
"Hopefully, we can get a deal done. Everybody is trying to stay positive, but it's pretty tough to do so. It needs to (get back on the rails). There have been times before talks have stopped and they've found a way to negotiate again. Hopefully, the same will happen this time."
There has been plenty of talk over the job NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr has been doing, and many from the NHL side do not want to deal with him.
However, the Players remain in Fehr's corner and Kelly believes he's the right man to lead their membership.
"We hired Donald Fehr for a reason: To get us the best possible deal," Kelly said. "And, especially at a time like this, you've got to put your faith in a guy like that and let him do his job because that's ultimately why we hired him.
"You never know what's going to happen. You wonder how things transpire, if it's more for media show or how they feel. It's an emotional time for everyone involved."
