I feel bad for you now. I understand hope springs eternal, but you're clearly stuck in the phase most fans passed long ago. And quite honestly, your complete disconnect with your readership is yet another casualty of this process.

Moving on, I'm interested to survey the damage this lockout has caused. Past the players and the owners, it would be interesting to see/hear what impacts this has had on the thousands of people directly hit in this. The league/team accountants, operations folks, writers, producers, vendors, merchandisers, payroll specialists, HR, mail room workers, officials and goal judges, Zambians drivers, maintenance staff, etc... There are no "make whole" discussions for these people. There's no 10k cheques for them. There's no representation for them. There's no discussion of them. Yet, they are the ones who are most representative of you and I. They are fans. They are working class folks like you and I who depend on our pay cheques. And they are the ones who have really been really impacted by this lockout. Have they moved on and found other employment? Have they gone on unemployment, or welfare? How do they feel? What are their thoughts, and what of their morale? What will their morale be like when (if) they come back after the lockout? And what impact on the "product" will their morale have? I find it amazing how quite the little guy is in this process. Is there a gag order, or is the media really that indifferent to the plight of those most impacted by this impasse? I don't think they would be if this was American Express or Coca Cola or Walmart imploding. Yet these, the most impacted fans of the game are the least covered corner of this soap opera.

When the lockout is done and the history books are written and read, there will be no record or accounts of these stories. When my kids and your kids read about it, they will not learn to ask the question of "what about the little guy?" Because nobody cared to cover it when it happened. Which means they won't ask these important questions themselves. They'll only concern themselves with the "plight" of the millionaires vrs. Billionaires. And we'll wonder what's wrong with that generation? And that's just sad. This business is sad. These attitudes are sad. And this makes me mad.
- Stubby

It's a tad bad but I'll be glad if it's over. At this point though all these guys can eat my left or right nad.

According to Helene Elliott of the L.A. Times, "No talks planned". Ek, with all of your false reports, your credibility has been severely damaged.
- nickp001

These meetings are top secret! Of course Helene Elliot doesn't know about them!

According to Helene Elliott of the L.A. Times, "No talks planned". Ek, with all of your false reports, your credibility has been severely damaged.
- nickp001

Fcuk the owners and fcuk the players. Dumb poopting kicking hicks and greedy Richardwads ruined the best sport on the planet.

Fcuk the owners and fcuk the players. Dumb poopting kicking hicks and greedy Richardwads ruined the best sport on the planet.
- clebo99

wouldnt say they're ruining the game. they are quite possibly however on the verge of destroying the best league on the planet. you almost have to admire the selfishness, greed and hatred for everything and everyone on display by both sides.

wouldnt say they're ruining the game. they are quite possibly however on the verge of destroying the best league on the planet. you almost have to admire the selfishness, greed and hatred for everything and everyone on display by both sides.
- DoubleDown

Hockey is my favorite sport in fact it's the only sport I have really watched for the last 35 years but to say it's the "best league on the planet" is a bit nuts with what's going on presently and has been for the last dozen years or so. Best sport, yes. Best league, I'd say a definitive no freaking way. I'd be more inclined to say worst league on the planet. The NHL and it's players are a joke at this point.

Yeah Dude I signed up for a tweeter account so I could see what everyone else was saying and I havent seen anything about the NHL and NHLPA talking at all - Just chalk this up as more false hope
- Flyers_1488

lol love your profile picture thats exactly how i feel this year over all philly sports..

lol love your profile picture thats exactly how i feel this year over all philly sports..
- slushy8.cr

Can we have Doc back please?

HB season ticket price increase for 2013 will be based upon Fehr's raise after the lockout ends...

HB season ticket price increase for 2013 will be based upon Fehr's raise after the lockout ends...
- Flyfreaky

I just renewed....still wondering why....

Only when the meter is zoomed in so closely that you can't distinguish anything, will the season begin.

Hockey is my favorite sport in fact it's the only sport I have really watched for the last 35 years but to say it's the "best league on the planet" is a bit nuts with what's going on presently and has been for the last dozen years or so. Best sport, yes. Best league, I'd say a definitive no freaking way. I'd be more inclined to say worst league on the planet. The NHL and it's players are a joke at this point.
- Cptmjl

well, by best league, i mean it's the highest calibre of hockey played on the planet. i'm in full agreement on your other points. this might be the most poorly run league, professional or amateur, in the world, and i don't see that changing anytime soon. no CBA will fix the issues endemic to the game: busted economics (owners) and a union that has always been more interested in a fight than an equitable settlement (players).

well, by best league, i mean it's the highest calibre of hockey played on the planet. i'm in full agreement on your other points. this might be the most poorly run league, professional or amateur, in the world, and i don't see that changing anytime soon. no CBA will fix the issues endemic to the game: busted economics (owners) and a union that has always been more interested in a fight than an equitable settlement (players).
- DoubleDown

Figured I was splitting hairs. Agree with you there

With hockey ending... And football somewhat close to being done... Does that mean we get baseballbuzz??

Can we have Doc back please?
- JIMI-JAMES

no way he's the best pitcher (ever..)

I love thw WJC. It gives us all an opportunity to see the players that will be locked-out in 8 years who by that time will forget the pleasure of the game and be consumed by greed like those before them.

Hockey is my favorite sport in fact it's the only sport I have really watched for the last 35 years but to say it's the "best league on the planet" is a bit nuts with what's going on presently and has been for the last dozen years or so. Best sport, yes. Best league, I'd say a definitive no freaking way. I'd be more inclined to say worst league on the planet. The NHL and it's players are a joke at this point.
- Cptmjl

Fair point. Best sport on the planet. Horrible fcuking league.

With hockey ending... And football somewhat close to being done... Does that mean we get baseballbuzz??
- Deadmau55

Seriously.

If i'm forced to start being a baseball fan again (I just can't get into Basketball) then I will.

Maybe it's time to drop the NHL since they can't seem to be a reliable pro sports league.

Go Dodgers?!

Fair point. Best sport on the planet. Horrible fcuking league.
- clebo99

43 post in 3 hours.... Pretty sure this site is going under

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

43 post in 3 hours.... Pretty sure this site is going under

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
- Flyers_1488

- Flyfreaky

I just renewed....still wondering why....
- JIMI-JAMES

Do you have kids? Because based on your location, and the fact you bought a season ticket....TWICE, has me concerned.

Travis Yost ‏@TravisHeHateMe
http://bit.ly/DDtd9 RT @BroadStBull No plans for #NHL and #NHLPA to meet this week. They haven't met in person in the last 13 days.

apparently these meetings are so top secret that the NHL and the PA don't even know about them.

Do you have kids? Because based on your location, and the fact you bought a season ticket....TWICE, has me concerned.
- druryisclutch

All for the sake of saving $28 (frank)ing dollars......when there's a (frank)ing lockout...*slices nuts first, wrists second*