NHL Lockout: NHL Cancels Games Through Nov. 1

After NHL commissioner Gary Bettman characterized the NHL Players' Association's counteroffer as a step backwards, it was expected the NHL would cancel additional games.

The league did just that, canceling games through Nov. 1 (per USA Today). The second round of cancellations means that 135 games of the 2012-13 season have been lost to this point.

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NHL officially cancels games thru Nov. 1. No surprise and no big deal, we knew they were done. Big axe comes out Oct. 26 if no progress.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) Oct. 19, 2012

 

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The NHL optimistically set a goal of the players returning to the ice Nov. 2 to start the season when it came out with its 50-50 proposal Oct. 16 (via TSN). At the time, Bettman said an agreement would need to be reached by Oct. 26 for that to happen.

While the negotiations seemingly took a turn for the worse with Bettman's reaction to the counteroffer, the two sides still have a week before the major schedule cuts would be made.

The NHL's Oct. 16 offer made it seem as if the league wants to play hockey this year and wants a full-season schedule. And if both sides are interested in that outcome, there is still time to make that happen.

The NHL lost its 2004-05 season to a full-season lockout. The 1994-95 season was limited to 48 regular season games due to a lockout as well. Full playoffs were held following the truncated 1994-95 season.