The National Hockey League cancelled all games until Nov. 30 after the deadlock between the league and players' union regarding a new collective bargaining agreement continued.
In all, total 326 games have been scrapped so far, which accounts to more than 26 percent of the regular hockey season.
"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this action," deputy commissioner Bill Dalys said in a statement. "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."
Earlier, the NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had set a deadline of Oct. 25 for reaching an agreement, but the players did not respond positively and did not deviate from its demand of a larger share in hockey-related revenue. Instead of yielding to unions' demand, the league pulled back its offer of a 50-50 revenue sharing on Friday, Oct. 26, although the union had already rejected it.
"The league officially informed us today that they have withdrawn their latest proposal and have cancelled another slate of regular-season games," union executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement. "This is deeply disappointing for all hockey fans and everyone who makes their living from hockey, including the players. But it comes as no surprise."
If the league and players don't reach an agreement, then the marquee New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic and the All-Star game are also in danger of being scrapped.
Players' representatives have expressed a willingness to negotiate with the league, but it seems unlikely to happen in next few days.
"They're going to keep exercising the power that they have to be able to lock us out, and the thought that they can cancel games to try to sway us their way," Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "We'll see what happens in the next little while and see where it goes from there."
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