Like Ross & Rachel from Friends, the NHL and the NHLPA are "taking a break". Heck they're not even on speaking terms. So what if it's officially a lockout and not a strike? Either way, the only NHL hockey I'll be seeing will be on my Gamecube or my roommate's PS2 rather than in da 'Dome (chillin' with Jarome... thanks VIBE 98.5 for bringing back the flames playoff parody song).
The way they have drawn their lines in the sand makes matters impossible to settle. There is no middle ground on the "cost certainty" / salary cap issue to work towards. The implications of a long puck drought will affect both sides, but neither is willing to budge. Both sides will take a hit as revenues will be lower as the new TV contract takes place and as fewer fans will be back when (if?) everything gets settled.
The notion that this league is the fourth Major league after the NFL, NBA, and MLB is pretentious. At this rate, it is being lumped with soccer and lacrosse, as the PGA, NASCAR, and even tennis get more coverage across all forms of media. It may be tough for some to admit so, but the league's popularity has been slipping ever since Bettman took office and a work stoppage doesn't help.
So on the supposed evening of the Flames home opener where we would have raised the Western Conference banner, we went to Joey's Tomatoes instead. Many other fans did other things besides pouring over hockey pool stats or going to games and will continue to do even when the NHL comes back.
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