Grand Forks, N.D. ? Wayne Gretzky fears the NHL could be shut down for as long as two years if a labor deal is not reached soon.

Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes, said an “even more alarming” scenario could await the league if the lockout is not settled in the next few days.

The NHL board of governors is to meet Jan. 14 in New York.