Kurt_eh
12-22-2004, 01:09 PM
CBC.CA Sports Online - Full Story : (http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2004/12/22/Sports/nhlseason041222.html)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL season to be cancelled on Jan. 14?
Last Updated Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:39:23 EST
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - When will the NHL season be cancelled? It appears league commissioner Gary Bettman has Jan. 14 in mind.
INDEPTH: Faceoff 2004-05 (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/cba/)
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has called a board of governors meeting on Jan. 14. He might cancel the season on that date. (CP File Photo)
The league confirmed on Wednesday that a board of governors' meeting has been scheduled for that day in New York, although they would not provide any details of the meeting's agenda.
With teams booking events at their arena 45 days in advance, the timing is right to call the season on that date.
The NHL salvaged a 48-game season during the last lockout 10 years ago after both sides reached an agreement on Jan. 11.
Bettman does not need a vote from the board to cancel the season, but he would probably like the owners' approval.
Establishing a potential drop-dead date puts pressure on the players' union to return to the negotiating table. The two sides last met on Dec. 9 and Dec. 14 in Toronto with negative results.
Each side is steadfast in their positions. NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow has maintained the salary cap is unacceptable to the union, while Bettman insists a link between team revenues and player salaries is crucial to the league's future survival.
If the season is called off, the NHL would become the first of the four major pro leagues to cancel the entire season.
Since the NHL took possession of the Stanley Cup, the trophy has been awarded every year except 1919. That was when an outbreak of Spanish influenza cancelled the Montreal-Seattle final.
As of Wednesday, the lockout has lasted 98 days and 470 NHL games have been cancelled.
While there's still time for the two sides to sign a new collective bargaining agreement, there's little optimism in hockey circles. No talks are planned and the last meeting ended with both Bettman and Goodenow leaving little impression there was any common ground between the league and union.
Written by CBC Sports Online staff
Copyright ©2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHL season to be cancelled on Jan. 14?
Last Updated Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:39:23 EST
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - When will the NHL season be cancelled? It appears league commissioner Gary Bettman has Jan. 14 in mind.
INDEPTH: Faceoff 2004-05 (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/cba/)
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has called a board of governors meeting on Jan. 14. He might cancel the season on that date. (CP File Photo)
The league confirmed on Wednesday that a board of governors' meeting has been scheduled for that day in New York, although they would not provide any details of the meeting's agenda.
With teams booking events at their arena 45 days in advance, the timing is right to call the season on that date.
The NHL salvaged a 48-game season during the last lockout 10 years ago after both sides reached an agreement on Jan. 11.
Bettman does not need a vote from the board to cancel the season, but he would probably like the owners' approval.
Establishing a potential drop-dead date puts pressure on the players' union to return to the negotiating table. The two sides last met on Dec. 9 and Dec. 14 in Toronto with negative results.
Each side is steadfast in their positions. NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow has maintained the salary cap is unacceptable to the union, while Bettman insists a link between team revenues and player salaries is crucial to the league's future survival.
If the season is called off, the NHL would become the first of the four major pro leagues to cancel the entire season.
Since the NHL took possession of the Stanley Cup, the trophy has been awarded every year except 1919. That was when an outbreak of Spanish influenza cancelled the Montreal-Seattle final.
As of Wednesday, the lockout has lasted 98 days and 470 NHL games have been cancelled.
While there's still time for the two sides to sign a new collective bargaining agreement, there's little optimism in hockey circles. No talks are planned and the last meeting ended with both Bettman and Goodenow leaving little impression there was any common ground between the league and union.
Written by CBC Sports Online staff
Copyright ©2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved