SAVING THE NHL SEASON : Chronology

Key dates in the NHL labor dispute that appeared to finally be resolved in its 103rd day Wednesday:

1993

* Sept. 15--Collective bargaining agreement expires.

1994

* Aug. 1--NHL says it will implement a series of 19 changes to the expired agreement that it says will save owners $20 million.

* Aug. 8--The NHL Players Assn. accuses the NHL of waging economic warfare.

* Aug. 24--NHL Board of Governors meets in New York and gives Commissioner Gary Bettman the authority to lock players out of training camp.

* Aug. 28--NHL makes “luxury tax” proposal, in effect a cap on players’ salaries.

* Sept. 16--The NHLPA proposes 5% “tax” on salaries and gate receipts.

* Sept. 23--NHL says start of season will be postponed if an agreement not reached by

Oct. 1.

* Sept. 28--Players reject the owners’ latest contract proposal. League postpones waiver draft indefinitely because of the labor problem.

* Sept. 29--Players promise not to strike during the season or the playoffs if the league guarantees there will be no lockout, that terms of the last collective bargaining agreement remain in place, and that Bettman rescinds his 19-point rollback proposal of Aug. 1.

* Sept. 30--NHL rejects players’ offer and delays the start of the season until Oct. 15, while inviting NHLPA back to the bargaining table. NHLPA says it’s willing to resume negotiations but players not willing to stay in camp.

* Oct. 4--At talks in New York, the NHL makes a new proposal to the players and says injured players won’t be paid while there is no season.

* Oct. 5--Players reject two NHL proposals.

* Oct. 6--Union chief Bob Goodenow flies back to Toronto, saying he is developing a counterproposal to the owners’ latest offer.

* Oct. 10--NHLPA revises subsidy pool proposal under which salaries would be taxed at 7%, up from 5.5%, and gate receipts at 3%, down from 5.5%.

* Oct. 11--Owners unanimously reject the players’ proposal, saying the season won’t begin Oct. 15.

* Oct. 24--The NHL cancels four games of its 84-game season. Bettman and Goodenow hold their first negotiating meeting since Oct. 10.

* Nov. 2--The NHL cancels 10 more games, cutting the schedule to 70 for each team.

* Nov. 17--The NHL cancels 10 more games for each team, reducing the schedule to 60 games.

* Dec. 6--Negotiations break down, with both sides saying prospects are slim for salvaging the season.

* Dec. 8--The NHL cancels Jan. 21 All-Star game in San Jose.

* Dec. 12--Board of Governors authorizes Bettman to cancel the season if no agreement is reached.

* Dec. 20--Team player representatives meet with Goodenow in Toronto and reaffirm their solidarity. They emerge from meetings united in opposition to the owners’ payroll tax plan.

* Dec. 29--Bettman says season will be canceled unless started by Jan. 16.

1995

* Jan. 4--The negotiators complete four days of talks in Chicago and come away with a “final” players’ proposal.

* Jan. 7--The Board of Governors, after seven hours of meeting, rejects players’ proposal, presents new offer to union and issues deadline of noon on Jan. 10 for agreement or cancellation of the 1994-95 season.

* Jan. 8--NHLPA unanimously rejects owners’ counterproposal. A meeting between Goodenow and Bettman is scheduled for the next day.

* Jan. 9--Goodenow and Bettman meet in marathon negotiations, with some progress made. Free agency seen as final issue to be settled.

* Jan. 10--Owners let deadline pass but reject contract agreement. Negotiations continue.

* Jan. 11--NHLPA’s executive committee accepts owners’ proposal. The agreement, which covers six seasons, including this one, and can be reopened by either side after the 1997-98 season, must be ratified by union membership.