Season officially over

Sportsnet is reporting that there will be no deal to save this season and that the NHL is now looking to next season. Daly: Focus on next year Sportsnet spoke to Bill Daly Saturday afternoon, who said it is now too late for a season and the focus will shift to getting a deal done ASAP and preparing to come back as strong as possible next year. Sportsnet.ca -- Not even two of hockey's most revered figures could uncancel what commissioner Gary Bettman made official just three days ago. UPDATE: No new proposals were exchanged at the New York meeting, contrary to rumours the NHL was preparing a new proposal. The 6 p.m. ET press conference scheduled by the NHL is likely not going to happen due to the lack of progress. Sources within the negotiations told Sportsnet, "The number was a huge problem. The league wanted the same number for six years, $42.5 million, not being indexed (non- inflationary) over the course of the agreement. It was more than just a number, it turned out to be a ton of things as we dove into it." Gretzky and Lemieux were on hand to try to save the season acting on behalf of the owners, but again the differences proved to be too much. Original Darren Dreger to Bill Daly question: Dreger: Can a season be saved? Daly: No. Focus is getting a deal done ASAP, and prepare to come back as strong as possible next year. Details to follow ...