NHL lockout continues: No hockey until at least January

Sorry, hockey fans. The NHL will continue to lock out its players and has canceled games through Dec. 30. That means no hockey for you, because the league's owners are demanding full capitulation from players, who are being told to give up money and contract rights or stay locked out of their jobs. The league and the players have continued to negotiate, though the league's negotiating involves declaring many major issues to be non-negotiable:

The league essentially pulled its most recent offer after the union failed to provide a "yes-or-no" answer on their three non-negotiable items: five-year contract term limits, a 10-year CBA and compliance on the transition rules.

Instead, the union tried countering with a proposal that was quickly rejected by the league. NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, who portrayed the two sides as close to an agreement earlier Thursday evening, said the union was notified that their offer was "not acceptable" via voicemail message.

Negotiating, such as it is, is expected to resume this week.