NHL Cancels Games Through End Of November
BOSTON (CBS) - Even more games have been wiped off the NHL calendar on Friday, as the NHL Owners and NHLPA have yet to come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The NHL has cancelled games through November 30, the third time the league has canceled games during the current lockout. A total of 326 regular-season games – 26.5 percent of the season -- were scheduled for October 11 through November 30.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued the following statement on Friday:
"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this action. By presenting a proposal to the NHLPA that contemplated a fair division of revenues and was responsive to Player concerns regarding the value of their contracts, we had hoped to be able to forge a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that would have preserved an 82-game Regular Season for our fans. Unfortunately, that did not occur.
"We acknowledge and accept that there is joint responsibility in collective bargaining and, though we are profoundly disappointed that a new agreement has not been attained to this point, we remain committed to achieving an agreement that is fair for the Players and the Clubs -- one that will be good for the game and our fans."
CBC's Eliotte Friedman was first to report the cancellations would occur.
Thursday was the deadline for the NHLPA to accept the NHL's most recent offer that was proposed last week, which would have saved a full 82-game season.
Listen: Cory Schneider Talks 'Frustrating' Negotiations With NHL
With this round of cancellations, Boston Bruins fans will lose the day after Thanksgiving match-up with the New York Rangers, set for November 23 in New York. In all, the first 22 games of the Bruins season have been wiped out due to the lockout.
Read: President Obama Urges NHL To End Lockout
Next on the chopping list would likely be the Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium, scheduled for January 1.
