NHLPA hasn't ruled out disclaimer of interest By BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman gestures as he describes negotiations between the NHL and the NHL Players Association regarding the difficulties of their current labor negotiations in New York, December 6, 2012. (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson) Big hurdles remain as NHL, players work to end lockout on New Year's Day Penguins forward Sidney Crosby hopes for NHL exhibition games NHL, players look to resolve woes in the New Year NHL, NHLPA head back to bargaining table

NEW YORK - This could all still end up in the hands of a judge.

While the NHL Players’ Association presented its ideas to save the season to the NHL Monday, the union hasn’t ruled out the possibility of proceeding with its disclaimer of interest by Wednesday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline.

Sources say union officials want to see how the league responds to the proposal it tabled before deciding what’s next. The executive board received permission for disclaimer by an overwhelming majority Dec. 21.