NHL cancels first 2 weeks of regular season

The NHL announced the cancellation of the first two weeks of the regular season by press release today, with games canceled through October 24.

The official press release was brief:

The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through October 24. A total of 82 regular-season games were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Oct. 24.

The cancellation was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL.

The Philadelphia Flyers were set to open the regular season on October 11th at the Wells Fargo Center against the Boston Bruins.

Also lost due to the cancellation are October 13th, a road game against the New York Islanders, October 18th in what was to be a renewal of the Pennsylvania blood feud at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and October 20th, a home contest against the Winnipeg Jets.

That's three home dates scratched off for the Flyers, but as the press release notes, it was the 'cancelation of the schedule', not necessarily the games. It would appear the games can be made up at a later date should a CBA agreement be reached at some point in time to salvage the season.

As things stand right now if there is an accord reached between the league and NHLPA in the very near future, the Flyers first contest still remaining on the calendar is Thursday, October 25th at the Montreal Canadiens.