Flyers set for NHL lockout, deadline looms

Sorry, hockey fans, there is no news to report. And no news, in this case, means bad news.

With NHL training camps set to open Sept. 21, the players and owners are at a stalemate. In fact, the two sides haven’t even conducted any formal negotiations since way back on Aug. 31.

If there is no new collective bargaining agreement in place by the self-imposed Sept. 15 deadline, there most certainly will be a lockout.

“It’s definitely disappointing, and I’m sure both sides have their reasons,” Flyers center Danny Briere told reporters yesterday at a charity golf event. “Right now there’s really nothing to negotiate about, from both sides’ perspective.”

The NHL underwent a painful lockout just seven years ago, which caused fans to lose interest in what is widely considered the least popular of the four major sports. Some Flyers players have expressed interest in playing overseas if a lockout occurs.

“The fans came back [in 2004-05], but at some point, you can’t take them for granted,” Briere said.

The Flyers are scheduled to open their season, at home, Oct. 11 against Boston. The preseason opener is slated for Sept. 25 against Chicago at the Wells Fargo Center.