[LINK] "NHL cancels games through Nov. 30"

[rfmcdonald]

CBC's succinct description of the failure of negotiations between hockey players and the National Hockey League and the consequent inability to have a full 82-game schedule makes me wonder. I've blogged a fair bit about the dysfunctional relationship between Toronto Maple Leafs and Torontonians, characterized mainly by the team's management holding the fan base in virtual contempt by counting on Torontonians' reflexive loyalty to their city's team to let the team makes as much money with as little effort as possible. Could the same be true for the NHL writ large?

"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this action," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly 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."

Friday's announcement could result in 326 regular-season games — or 26.5 per cent of the season — missed should the entire month of November be lost.

[. . .]

Last week, the NHL made a 50-50 proposal to the players on all hockey-related revenues, giving the National Hockey League Players' Association an Oct. 25 deadline to accept the deal and save the entire regular season.

Two days later, the union sent the owners three counterproposals, which were quickly rejected by the league.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman maintained a deal needed to be in place by a league-mandated Oct. 25 deadline, allowing for a week of training camp which would've been followed by a full 82-game schedule commencing on Nov. 2.