Bettman: Nonunion Players Not First Option
If no collective bargaining agreement has been reached between the NHL and the Players Association, Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated that the
opening of the season will be delayed rather than beginning on time with
nonunion replacement players. He did not rule out using nonunion players at a later time. While Bettman expressed optimism that the lockout could soon be resolved, the union remained skeptical.
See "Bettman: Nonunion Players Not First Option", Joe LaPointe, The New York Times, April 20, 2005