Though merely a formality, Friday’s proclamation by NHL Canceler-in-Chief Gary Bettman wiping another two-week round of games off the schedule ensures that Saturday night’s “Operation Hat Trick” benefit in Atlantic City will be the only time until at least Dec. 15 that fans in the area will have the opportunity to watch Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Brodeur, Brad Richards and a host of other marquee athletes compete on the ice.
Saturday night’s match, at sold-out Boardwalk Hall, is being played for the benefit of victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Meanwhile, the “No Game Today” sign will not only be hung outside NHL arenas across the continent until at least the middle of next month, but also the owners’ lockout will claim the 2013 All-Star Game, originally scheduled for Columbus on Jan. 27.
No progress was made Friday toward ending the dispute, with leaders from both sides issuing familiar platitudes through various media platforms.
There are no negotiating sessions scheduled in the wake of the league’s rejection of the NHL Players’ Association’s proposal on Wednesday that was not met by a counter.
No games are on the schedule in the foreseeable future, either, except for tonight’s.
* Blueshirts winger Rick Nash, who earlier sustained a bruised shoulder playing for HC Davos of the Swiss League, sat out last night’s game against the ZSC Lions with a sore groin. The Rangers have been told the move was made for precautionary reasons and the injury is not serious.