Slowing things down

Monday, 07 January 2013 06:35

Written by Dave Molinari

There is no official word yet on when NHL training camps will open or when regular-season games will begin, but there is growing evidence that both are likely to happen later than previously seemed possible.

No announcement on either is expected, however, until both the players and owners ratify the collective bargaining agreement that was announced early Sunday morning.

It now looks as if the Board of Governors, made up of owners and their representatives, might not convene until Wednesday to vote on the CBA. The NHL Players' Association is expected to vote on the deal electronically.

If camps remain closed until the weekend, which is the prevailing sentiment, a Jan. 19 start -- and thus a schedule of 48, not 50, games -- would seem to be all but assured.