Contests Through December 14, All-Star Game face Cancellation by League -NHL Lockout Update
The National Hockey League (NHL) brought about another series of cancellations in view of the persisting lockout as the regulating authority announced striking off all planned 2012-2013 regular season games through December 14, along with the All-Star Game
as well.
It was expected prior to their previous meeting, in which the Players’ Association put forth what they thought would be a final draft of what a new collective bargaining agreement should look like, but had it denied by the league, as usual.
2013’s NHL All-Star Game and weekend was one that was much looked forward to by hockey fans everywhere, especially those of the Blue Jackets as the star studded matchup was scheduled to take place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
"The reality of losing more regular-season games as well as the 2013 NHL All-Star Weekend in Columbus is extremely disappointing," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "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."
There are still major hurdles that the two stakeholders need to cover before a labour deal would come into play and it does not seem like the deadlock will be coming to an end anytime soon as milestones came and passed by, but nothing significant has come
about.
According to NHLPA executive director, Donald Fehr, the gap just gets wider day by day.
"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 -- especially those in Columbus," Fehr said. "The players remain ready to negotiate but we
require a willing negotiating partner."
There are talks within the Players’ Association about decertifying the labour union and talking up arms in the court of law to settle this dispute in front of a bench of judges. There have been no practical steps taken in that regard as of yet, but insiders
term the next few days as extremely crucial to the entire process.
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