Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Arab League wants UN peacekeepers in Syria

No Hockey League — season canceled

Despite late concessions from both sides, deal not reached in time

Image: BettmanAP
“This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday.

The NHL’s last game came in June, when the Tampa Bay Lightning beat Calgary 2-1 in Game 7 to win the Stanley Cup.

Since then, a lot of stars have moved on, going overseas to play. Jaromir Jagr, Vincent Lecavalier, Teemu Selanne, Joe Thornton and Saku Koivu are among the over 300 of the league’s 700-plus players who spent part of this season playing in Europe.

Whenever a deal is reached, there won’t be a clear-cut way to determine the draft order. Washington had the No. 1 selection last year and grabbed Russian sensation Alexander Ovechkin. The lowly Capitals would love to go first again to pick Crosby.

Shortly after Bettman took over as commissioner, a lockout cut the 1994-95 regular season to 48 games, still more than half the schedule.

The NHL began preparing for the possibility of another lockout in 1998 when each team contributed $10 million toward a $300 million war chest. The collective bargaining agreement was extended twice after it was originally signed in 1995. That allowed for the NHL to complete its expansion plans without interrupting play.

Bettman has said that teams lost more than $1.8 billion over 10 years — including $273 million in 2002-03 and $224 million last season.

“We lived through a decade of a collective bargaining agreement that didn’t work,” Bettman said. “It doesn’t matter whose fault it was.”

A year ago, there were those who said at least one season was sure to be lost and that two was not out of the question. With the former now the reality and the latter a distinct possibility, both sides are regrouping for a longer fight.

“I hope they are negotiating,” said Wayne Gretzky, now the Phoenix Coyotes’ managing partner. “My gut instinct — and I don’t have the answer to this — is that this could be put on the shelf for a long time.”

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3

advertisement
Slideshow
MESSIER
  Goodbye, greats?
The lockout is finally over, but will these legendary players lace up the skates again?
Video: NHL from NBC Sports
Capital Grinder
Capitals left wing Jason Chimera says he looks at every game as a playoff game and the Capitals need to find consistency during the final stretch to the finish.

Slideshow
Image: Chicago Blackhawks Marian Hossa of Team Chara celebrates his goal with New York Rangers Marion Gaborik during the NHL All-Star hockey game in Ottawa
  NHL All-Stars
Take a look at the players who competed in Team Chara's 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Stanley Cup Finals - Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings - Game Seven
  Sid the Kid
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has gone from phenom to Stanley Cup champion.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Washington Capitals Ovechkin celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during Game 5 in Washington
  Alexander the Great
Take a look at Capitals star and two-time MVP Alexander Ovechkin

more photos

Slideshow
Pamela Anderson
  Celebrity fans
Some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities take in NHL games.
Slideshow
Colorado Avalanche v Anaheim Ducks
  Icy Hot
Check out the ice girls from around the National Hockey League.

more photos