Coaches and Players Embarrassed as NHL Lockout Drags On

Fitzgerald Cecilio

Newark, NJ

New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello could not help but voice his frustration on seeing the lockout reach its 102nd day.

"I'm embarrassed for the game," Lamoriello told The Star-Ledger.

But he is still hopeful that a partial schedule can be saved for the 2012-13 season.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan shared the same sentiment, telling the Arizona Republic that players are starting to feel embarrassed about saying they play in the NHL.

"You've always been proud to say you're an NHL player, to tell people that you play for the NHL. 'I play in the NHL,' " Doan said. "I think now it's getting to the point where you're losing some of that pride because it's been tarnished so much."

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said no talks have been scheduled.

With regular season games having been canceled through Jan. 14, the rest of the season will be scrapped unless the two sides can come up with a new CBA in the next two weeks.

In past lockouts, Lamoriello has taken an active role in negotiations, working alongside commissioner Gary Bettman in 1994-95, but that hasn't been the case this time.

"I'm not involved the way I was in the past. I can't answer why," Lamoriello said.

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Coaches and Players Embarrassed as NHL Lockout Drags On