Question: When has the NHL been through a strike or lockout before?
Update: The NHL lockout ended in July, with a six-year collective bargaining agreement. For the details see:
How the NHL Salary Cap Works
Highlights of the New NHL Deal
New NHL Rules for the 2005-06 Season
Answer: In 1994, the owners locked out the players for 103 days before the current collective agreement was reached. The 1994-95 NHL season did not begin until January, and was shortened to 48 games per team.
In 1992, the players went on strike for 10 days, beginning April 1. When a new agreement was reached, the games missed during the strike were re-scheduled.
The issues at the forefront of each dispute included some of the issues at the forefront in 2004, such the players' demand for greater free agency and the league's demand for a system to stop rising salaries.
There have been other, isolated disputes between teams and players. In 1925, for example, players on the Hamilton Tigers refused to suit up for playoff games unless each of them received an extra $200. They were led by team captain Billy Burch. The strike was unsuccessful, as the NHL suspended them all for the duration of the playoffs.
