Not since the labor lockout of 1994-95 have so many good hockey players sat idle for so long because of disagreements over wages.

Since the 15-week labor lockout of 1994-95, salaries and franchise prices have continued to rise.

Then the training season was curtailed from six weeks to three by the labor lockout, and new pressure was put on Gooden's comeback.

The 1994-95 National Hockey League season was a long and ragged one, beginning with a 15-week labor lockout in early autumn.

Despite the 15-week labor lockout of 1994-95, wages have doubled since then, to an average of about $1.3 million.

Spring training was disrupted by the labor lockout, and the players either stayed home or drifted to Florida to work out informally under Ojeda's direction.

But even the official word from the N.H.L. is that a labor lockout in one sport is bad for all sports.

They have more than $9 million under the salary cap and can begin bidding for free agents July 1, barring a labor lockout.

The five Mets were not exactly holding a rump camp, as many players did during the labor lockout in the spring of 1976.

Their White House reception was delayed several months by a labor lockout.