from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

There could be another deadline approaching for the NHL.

After cancelling the Winter Classic, the league may have returned to the bargaining table Tuesday to try and help save its precious airtime on the NBC Sports Network.

The first games are scheduled to be shown in the U.S. on Nov. 23 (day after Thanksgiving) and the NHL may be trying to get a deal in place with the players' union to keep one of its biggest backers on board before the whole season goes up in smoke.

"Everybody thinks (NHL commissioner) Gary (Bettman) has a date circled on his calendar when he needs the NHL back playing games," said a league insider Tuesday.

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