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Bettman: 'Luxury tax will not work'

EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Tuesday reiterated the league's stand against a luxury tax proposed by players who have been locked out since mid-September.

"They claim that will fix our problems," Bettman told the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. "I'm here to tell you today that a luxury tax will not work and it will create a potential for future disaster in the NHL.

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The players were locked out when their old collective barganing agreement expired. Negotiators for the league and players' union have not met since Sept. 9 and no talks are scheduled.

NHL owners say they have lost more than $1.7 billion the past two seasons. The league wants a salary cap, which the players have refused. The players proposed a luxury tax.

The season schedule was supposed to begin Oct. 13. Nearly 300 NHL players have joined teams in Europe pending a resolution of the contract dispute.

The 2005 NHL All-Star Game has already been canceled.

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