The NHLPA has announced that after their five day e-vote that their membership has approved the NHLPA executive committee the authority to file a disclaimer of interest up until January 2nd.

The disclaimer of interest, according to the players, would only be used as a last resort if the NHL and players cannot find a way to solve the lockout, which has now entered Day 97.

The NHL has indicated that they want no less than a 48 game season in place and with that in mind the two sides would need to have a deal done by January 8th at the latest if they were to begin play on January 15th.

Yesterday the NHL cancelled all scheduled games to January 14th, which represents 50.8% of the schedule.