The NHL cancelled all games through Dec. 14 along with the 2013 All-Star Game which was scheduled for Jan. 26-27.
The talks over a new collective bargaining agreement are making no headway as the season, slowly but surely heads into crisis mode, with the danger of the whole year being scrapped looming large.
More than one-third regular hockey season has already been cancelled and two very important events, including the New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic, were also called off.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly considered the scrapping of the All-Star Game very disappointing. "We feel badly for NHL fans and particularly those in Columbus, and we intend to work closely with the Blue Jackets organization to return the NHL All-Star events to Columbus and their fans as quickly as possible," Daly said in a statement Friday.
Although the league and players union could not reach an agreement on players' contracts on Wednesday, the players were confident the negotiation process would continue and ultimately the regular NHL season would start.
"All players felt that this week would lead to something," Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said in an email sent to The Associated Press. "However, as of today unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. It's very disappointing."
After negotiations broke down Wednesday, no more talks were scheduled. It is believed Daly might have a telephonic conversation with union special counsel Steve Fehr this weekend.
Scrapping 422 games is against the financial interests of both the sides.
"Bettman said that the league is losing $18-$20 million per day during the lockout, therefore two more weeks of cancelled games far exceeds the current economic gap," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said in a statement.
"It makes the NHL's announcement of further game cancellations, including the 2013 All-Star Weekend, all the more unnecessary, and disappointing for all hockey fans."
Fehr claimed players were making all the efforts required to resolve the issue. "On Wednesday, the players presented a comprehensive proposal, once again moving in the owners' direction in order to get the game back on the ice," Fehr said.
Earlier, players wanted 57 percent share of hockey related revenue, but the players' union modified its latest proposal as per the NHL's framework, which included a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue and a $393 million in deferred payments for the players. The league again rejected the players' proposal.
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