Lockout :(

[PeTrIe]

So the lockout continues without much effort from anyone to sort it out seemingly. It's quite frustrating for me and I'm sure for everyone. I have always followed the NHL first ahead of British hockey just because the quality is that much greater. Looks like I might have to get stuck into watchin the Vipers this year, but 2hr return drive is a bit much to go watch hockey a lot. I'm starting to feel the lack of hockey now that it's real. No pre-season games, no build-up it's very sad. I suppose it has to be done though, no way can the players be given that sort of money with the lack of revenues from hockey in North America nowadays. What does everyone else think?

[archibalduk]

I'm worried that things are going to get worse and worse.
Many players are leaving the league and I wonder whether they'll want to return if they settle down and the lockout lasts a long time.
Also, there's talk of the league becoming smaller. I like the current 30 team layout - I think it adds a little diversity to the game.

[thewerd]

As far as the lockout is concerned, there are both pro's and cons to each argument, while the salary cap does do wonders for small market teams and their ability to stay competitive, but then again if they are having a hard time keeping a positive cash flow, then perhaps they shouldn't be in the league. You make a team to make money, period. If it isn't doing well, market it better locally. if it's still failing, then it should fold, not take assets from around the league to keep it afloat, with less teams the talent pool wouldn't be so diluted, and there wouldn't be as big contracts because there would be more players, less teams, and less necessity to land that 10 million dollar marquee player.

Either way, this is just one point on the situation and i don't feel like going into it, because to cover it all equally it would be a 74 page post.

What it comes down to in the end is that neither side gives a Adam Oates, period. Because if they truly did, they would hire a third party arbitrator to decide the settlement, sure neither side will get exactly what they want, but guarantee in the end they will both still be making money. But since that will never happen, they obviously don't care about how the game suffers. The game itself doesn't have the popularity to handle it. so in the end we all lose, because they can't agree on who should make more money.

atleast junior and international hockey will benefit from this.