NHL lockout costs an estimated $100 million in preseason revenue

The loss of the NHL preseason because of the lockout has cost the league an estimated $100 million, but after talks between the NHL and NHL Players’ Assn. ended Tuesday, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league is closer to canceling some regular-season games too.

“We are closer by definition” to canceling regular season games, Daly said. “We are focused on minimizing the damage.”

With no solution yet, chances are the final price tag on the lockout could be much more, although Daly said the league has not project what that potential cost might be.

There are no further talks scheduled, but the two sides can resume at any time.

Bargaining Tuesday focused on the definition of hockey-related revenue.

“They have made some incremental moves,” NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr said. “It’s clear that the players have made substantial moves towards the owners and the owners have made substantial moves away from the players.”

Daly insisted that the league is “looking for a long-term deal that’s fair to the players, league and fans.”

“Certainly, we’re trying to be as creative as [we can be],” he said.

In the meantime, with the lockout now in its third week, many players have decided to play overseas on month-to-month contracts. Others, who are eligible to play at lower levels, began training camp with American Hockey League teams.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.