The uncertainty surrounding the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement has prompted the league to call off next fall’s games in Europe.

A senior league source confirms the season-opening overseas games will not be held for the first time since 2007.

The collective bargaining agreement will expire on September15, and talks have yet to begin on a new one.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly addressed bargaining during the final session with General Managers and commissioner Gary Bettman discussed it with reporters afterwards.

“The CBA that we currently have is in effect until Sept. 15 and we told clubs to continue to operate under the CBA,” he said.

The NHL lost the entire 2004-05 season to a lockout the last time the sides negotiated a collective agreement.

On Wednesday, Bettman expressed confidence that there is still plenty of time to avoid a repeat of that scenario — saying he’s “not worried” on more than one occasion — and indicated the league is ready to start negotiations at any time. The NHLPA wants to wait until the season is over.

“We are continuing to meet with players across the league as part of our preparations for the upcoming CBA negotiations,” executive director Donald Fehr said in a statement. “At our request, the NHL recently supplied the NHLPA with some initial financial information that we are currently reviewing. While we do not have a set date for formal negotiations to begin, we expect negotiations will begin when we have players available to participate in bargaining sessions.”


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