Players approve NHL labor deal [Update]

NHL players approved the tentative collective bargaining agreement that was unanimously approved by the league’s board of governors earlier this week.

The official lifting of the league’s lockout will happen when a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is completed.

Lawyers for both sides were going through the document line by line and comma by comma during the day. Once both sides agree to the terms and sign the memo, the NHL will release schedules and teams will be free to open training camps on Sunday.

The abbreviated, 48-game season will start next Saturday. The Kings will raise their Stanley Cup banner in a noon game at Staples Center against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Ducks will open at Vancouver against the Canucks.

In the meantime, Brian Burke met the media in Toronto for the first time since he was fired as the Maple Leafs’ general manager.

The NHL will be less colorful without him, though he’s sure to be hired by another team soon in some capacity.

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