New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League announced the
cancellation of its 2012-13 regular-season schedule for the entire month of
November 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," said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in
a statement.
"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."
The move comes one week after games through Nov. 1 were excised, and eight
days after the league rejected three separate proposals presented by the
NHLPA.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman submitted a six-year offer to the NHLPA on
Oct. 16, one that included a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue and allowed
for a full 82-game season to begin on Nov. 2. The league's self-imposed
deadline for the players' union to accept that proposal expired on Thursday.
The lockout, which began on Sept. 16, has now caused the cancellation of 326
regular-season games.
The Sports Network