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In a move that should have come as a surprise to no one, the NHL announced Friday the cancelation of the next block of games from the league's calendar through November 1.
Here's the official press release from the NHL:
NEW YORK (October 19, 2012) - The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through November 1. A total of 135 regular-season games were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 1.
The cancellation was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL.
A list of the Philadelphia Flyers canceled contests from October 25 through November 1:
October 25 at Montréal Canadiens
October 27 v Toronto Maple Leafs
October 28 at Buffalo Sabres
October 30 v Dallas Stars
November 1 v New Jersey Devils
Games through October 24 had already been lopped off the schedule, which resulted in the loss of four contests (three at home) for the Flyers.
There was a sudden cause for optimism that the season as a whole could be saved Tuesday when the NHL finally made another proposal in the ongoing CBA labor dispute.
If the NHLPA accepted the league's proposal by October 25, in that scenario the NHL schedule would commence on November 2 -- something that still could happen. The 135 games lost league-wide -- and nine Flyers' contests -- would be made up throughout the season as can be coordinated.
It has to be seen as a good sign that the league didn't cancel a more significant number of games after Thursday's contentious atmosphere that surrounded the league and the NHLPA's three counter-proposals. It would appear that with just going to November 1, there may still be hope that a resolution is still within reach and the season can be saved in its entirety.
If a deal can be reached by next Thursday, the Flyers would open at the Wells Fargo Center in a 1:00 PM EST matinee on Saturday, November 3, against Teemu Selanne and the Anaheim Ducks.
The NHL players remain locked out as of midnight on September 15.