NHL cancels games through Dec. 30 By BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media after labour negotiations with the NHLPA in New York, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2012. (LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters) NHL, locked out players to talk again at 'undisclosed' location Bettman marks anniversary as NHL lockout continues

Hockey will remain on an extended holiday this Christmas season.

Unable to get a collective bargaining agreement in place with the players, the league took another swipe at its schedule Monday by cancelling all games until Dec. 30 after talks fell apart last Thursday in New York.

While the league and NHL Players' Association are considering a return to the bargaining table later this week, the league has now killed off 527 regular season games -- 43% of the schedule -- as result of the lockout, which is in its 86th day.