NEW YORK - The NHL season is indefinitely postponed after owners unanimously rejected the latest player proposal Tuesday.
Players and owners seem prepared to hunker down for a lengthy battle.
"If someone voted for this today thinking it would last a week or 10 days, I think they are mistaken," Boston Bruins President Harry Sinden said.
Players association executive director Bob Goodenow said the lockout could be long.
"Long could be months or a year," Goodenow said.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman hasn't canceled games because an 84-game schedule theoretically could be played if an agreement could be reached in a few days or so.
Bettman said he won't allow the season to start without an accord. He previously said he only needed to see progress.
No contract talks are scheduled, though Goodenow said there is still communication between the sides.
"But until they appreciate our position against what is clearly a salary cap, we have very little to discuss," he said.
Bettman and several members of the Board of Governors chastised the union for taking five days to come up with its latest proposal.
Instead of a "comprehensive proposal," Bettman said, "what we got was an adjustment."
Goodenow said the players' proposal - with a graduated tax on salaries, plus a 3% tax on gate revenue - represents a significant compromise.
"This makes it clear the owners are committed to one thing - a major fight with players," Goodenow said.
