The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through November 30 because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL.

A total of 326 regular-season games – 26.5 percent of the season -- were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 30.

Of the 12 scheduled Lightning games cancelled today, six were to be played at the Tampa Bay Times Forum while six were on the road.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly today issued the following statement regarding cancellation of the 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule through Nov. 30:

"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this action.  By presenting a proposal to the NHLPA that contemplated a fair division of revenues and was responsive to Player concerns regarding the value of their contracts, we had hoped to be able to forge a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that would have preserved an 82-game Regular Season for our fans.  Unfortunately, that did not occur.

“We acknowledge and accept that there is joint responsibility in collective bargaining and, though we are profoundly disappointed that a new agreement has not been attained to this point, we remain committed to achieving an agreement that is fair for the Players and the Clubs -- one that will be good for the game and our fans."