Labor deal worries hang over finals

The threat of another bitter labor dispute was left hanging over the start of the Stanley Cup finals when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Wednesday that negotiations on a new deal with the players should begin in the next few weeks.

In his 'State of the League' address ahead of Game 1 of the finals between the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings, Bettman downplayed the possibility of another lost season like the 2004-2005 campaign.

But with National Hockey League players association (NHLPA) chief Donald Fehr looking on, the atmosphere inside the Prudential Center was cool and businesslike with neither side willing to reveal its hand.