Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney, left, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Steve Montador leave the talks between the NHL Players association and the league at the NHL's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The NHL is still awaiting the NHLPA’s counterproposal as the calendar turns toward August and there appears to be no resolution in sight. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, left, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Steve Montador chat outside labor talks between the NHL Players Association and the league at the NHL's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to reporters about on going labor talks with the NHL Players Association outside the league's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, left, and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney leave the labor talks between the NHL Players association and the league at the NHL's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The NHL is still awaiting the NHLPA’s counterproposal as the calendar turns toward August and there appears to be no resolution in sight. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Donald Fehr, executive director of the NHL Players Association, speaks to reporters about on going labor talks with the league outside the NHL headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to reporters about on going labor talks with the NHL Players Association outside the league's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Donald Fehr, executive director of the NHL Players Association, speaks to reporters about on going labor talks with the league outside the NHL headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. Detroit Red Wings Dan Cleary listens, right.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Detroit Red Wings Dan Cleary, right, shakes hands with Edmonton Oileers defenseman Ryan Whitney after they left the labor talks between the NHL Players Association and the league at the NHL's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Edmonton Oilers captain Sean Horcoff, left, Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, and Edmunton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney chat among themselves outside the NHL's talks with the players association at the leagues' headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The NHL is still awaiting the NHLPA’s counterproposal as the calendar turns toward August and there appears to be no resolution in sight. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney, left, talks on his phone as Phoenix Coyotes Keith Yandle waits outside the labor talks between the NHL Players association and the league at the NHL's headquarters in New York, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The NHL is still awaiting the NHLPA’s counterproposal as the calendar turns toward August and there appears to be no resolution in sight. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on Sept. 15, and the NHL season is scheduled to open on Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

FILE - Donald Fehr, executive director of the NHL Players Association, speaks to reporters about on going labor talks with the league outside the NHL headquarters in New York, in this July 31, 2012 file photo. Donald Fehr and the players' association are ready to get back to the bargaining table at any moment. They are now just waiting for the NHL to feel the same way. "(We aren't talking) because the owners have not indicated a desire to resume," the NHLPA's executive director said Wednesday night Dec. 19, 2012 before a charity hockey game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)