The NHL's lawsuit against its players was assigned to a federal judge who is a longtime Yankees fan and a former federal prosecutor.

The sides didn't talk Sunday, the 92nd day of a lockout that is threatening to wipe out the NHL season for the second time in nine years. NHL players started voting on whether to have their union give up collective bargaining rights, a "disclaimer of interest" that could be a precursor to an antitrust suit.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.