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'``This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided.''' … [Read more...] about Text of statement by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman

'“We were not as close as some people we speculating,” said Bettman. “We were not talking about some small difference at all, we were still very far apart.”' … [Read more...] about NHL Cancels 2004-2005 Season

'How can Goodenow go back and look his union in the eye after caving to a cap earlier this week. It isn't the fact that he caved -- that often has to happen for labor strifes to be settled -- but it's when he caved. If the NHLPA would have come off its no-cap stance a month ago, perhaps I'd be here writing about an actual game or player rather than this … [Read more...] about No Stanley Cup playoffs, but plenty of drama ahead

'The animus that will have festered during this protracted labor dispute will make it virtually impossible for Bettman and Goodenow to continue to serve effectively -- if you think eviscerating the sport is service.' … [Read more...] about Down with the ship

'All I can say is I've never seen a worse display of bad faith bargaining and disingenuous dithering. No matter how much either side conceded, Bettman and his squinty-eyed, toothpick-chewing henchmen were intent on turning the NHL into a designer label version of the minor leagues where a fair patch of readers say they are enjoying hockey at reasonable prices.' … [Read more...] about Dirty deeds

'The league and union were roughly $6.5 million away from a possible deal, as a last-ditch effort to save the season brought about new numbers from both sides.' … [Read more...] about Final horn sounds on the season that never was

'A lockout over a salary cap shut down the game before it ever got a chance to start in October. Now the NHL, already low on the popularity scale in the United States, becomes the first major pro sports league in North America to lose an entire season to a labor dispute.' … [Read more...] about Game Off! NHL season canceled

'Players Association executive director Bob Goodenow will address the media at 4 p.m. EST in Toronto.' … [Read more...] about NHL cancels 2004-05 season

'Exactly five months after the NHL lockout began, commissioner Gary Bettman canceled what little was left of the season Wednesday.' … [Read more...] about Season that wasn't officially called off

'"When I stood before you in September, I said NHL teams would not play again until our economic problems had been solved," Bettman said. "As I stand before you today, it is my sad duty to announce that because that solution has not yet been attained, it no longer is practical to conduct even an abbreviated season. Accordingly, I have no choice but to announce the formal … [Read more...] about NHL, NHLPA fail to reach deal

'Source says barring last-minute union move, commissioner Gary Bettman to cancel 2004-05 season at 1 p.m. EST news conference.' … [Read more...] about Looks like the NHL season is over, only last-minute heroics will save it

'"A number of guys went behind our backs," New York Islanders center Michael Peca said. "It isn't right. They're doing something unethical. I can say with 100 percent certainty (Goodenow) had no knowledge players were going to the league behind his back. To see these guys, running around and lobbying as individuals about a salary cap, when … [Read more...] about NHL, union keep trying to bridge gap

'For years, the Sabres all but ignored local amateur hockey. Regier addressed the problem three years ago and insisted the organization become more involved. The Sabres now have one full-time employee, Youth Hockey Manager Pat Fisher, working within the community on everything from instructional clinics to promoting the game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres involved

'Rory Fitzpatrick would like to know what took so long. "If this is where we were headed with a cap, then it could have been settled in September," said Fitzpatrick, the lifelong Irondequoit resident who plays defense for the Buffalo Sabres. "What a waste of a season if we were going to accept a cap anyway."' … [Read more...] about Local NHLers aren't packing skates just yet

'"I wish everyone would just shut up and play."' … [Read more...] about Area hockey fans sound off on lockout