The 2004-05 season was supposed to begin in St. Louis tonight. Instead, the Savvis Center will be dark. The St. Louis Blues will not play their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. All Blues games up to November 11 have been cancelled. The NHL owners locked out the players on September 15 after the collective bargaining agreement expired. Owners say the new CBA must include a salary cap. Players say they’ll never accept a salary cap. No new bargaining sessions between the players union and owners are scheduled. Many expect the lockout to last until at least January, if not wipe out the entire season.
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