With the lockout of players having completed its 90th day Thursday, the league informed the NHL Players Association in Toronto that if play does not begin by then, it will be impossible to play a 50-game season.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said it was the minimum number of games he would consider, and that it was the number of games at which the NHL Board of Governors has authorized him to cancel the season.
"We are now at the point that, based upon building availability, the regular season must begin by Jan. 16 in order to schedule 50 regular-season games and full playoffs," Bettman informed the union.
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