Say It Ain't So, NHL, Say It Ain't So



I think ALL NHL Fans can Agree with THIS!


If you follow the site and/or my Twitter account (@BnGBlitz) you will know that I had to take the long weekend off because of a family emergency.  Nonetheless, I wasn't completely "unplugged" from reality.  Hospitals actually have decent cable packages now!  Regardless, I can't say how frustrated I was when I saw at the bottom of the ESPN screen that the NHL had lockedout its players.  I wasn't surprised, but just frustrated.  How many leagues (NFL, NBA, now the NHL) is it going to take until they realize that they need to start their CBA negotiations BEFORE it becomes the last year for the agreement?  I really don't know why the two sides take so long to meet, cancel meetings, and don't talk.  I guess as a fan all I want to see is hockey, and these multi-millionaires are going to cry over each and every penny.  With all that has been said and done, its now time for the mass exodus.

Again, I'm not referring to my Catholic HS upbringing, or a Bob Marley song.  I am talking about the number of NHL players (many of the Pittsburgh Penguins) that have declared that if the lockout looms large for too long, then they are headed to a different climate that actually has hockey this Fall / Winter.  Evgeni Malkin is headed to the KHL to play in Russia and other NHL superstars are reportedly going to play in a Switzerland league.  Unlike the NBA players that threatened to go play ball in Italy or China, these NHL players are really going to go.  The problem then arises, should fans be worried about their favorite team's players risking injury, or should they be happy they are keeping their skills sharp in hopes that the lockout ends and hockey resumes?  Call me optimistic, but I think that the lockout won't last all that long and the players will be in their team headquarters sooner than later.  At the same time, I think back to the '04-'05 season that was a complete washout.  I can say as a Pittsburgh Penguin fan, I don't want to see Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or any other star player to risk injury playing in some thug league like the KHL and risking a chance at contending for a cup if/when the lockout is lifted.  Some are saying November this thing should be done, but almost EVERYONE (including myself) don't think this thing gets resolved until real hockey games are missed, or are about to be missed.  All that does is leave hockey fans waiting in the wings, waiting for their cherished sport to return.  Can anyone say rip off?  Say it ain't so, NHL!!