NHL Lockout: Fans Would Be Biggest Losers of Another Work Stoppage

Eight years after watching an entire season get wiped out due to a lockout, the NHL is flirting with disaster once again. While the owners and players argue over dollars and cents, the league's diehard fans stand to lose the most of anybody.

It was a slow rebuilding process for the league after the last lockout. It took time for all of the fans to return to hockey after learning during its yearlong absence that there were other things they could do to entertain themselves after all.

Just as it seemed like the NHL was finally starting to pick up some momentum again, however, another lockout is looming. Little progress has been made in recent weeks following the initial proposals from both sides as they each attempt to play hardball.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has once again assumed his role as the villain. Serving as spokesman for the league's owners, he's dug in his heels and appears ready for an extended battle if the players aren't willing to make some big concessions.

While all of that is happening, the fans are left out in the cold.

Supporters of the New York Rangers have no idea when they'll finally get to see star acquisition Rick Nash take the ice. Those who like the Los Angeles Kings are waiting for the banner ceremony to celebrate their championship.

Even people who are just fans of hockey in general are left to research minor league schedules just in case the NHL decides to go through another lockout for who knows how long.

Bettman didn't sound overly concerned about the impact a lockout would have on the league, instead stating it bounced back last time because of the fans.

That basically sounds like a roundabout way of saying the potential effects aren't nearly as important as the financial debates that are going on. It certainly isn't an encouraging sign.

While Bettman is right that dedicated fans helped the NHL make a comeback, it didn't happen overnight. And some of those fans who took a while to finally find their passion for the game again might not return if another lockout occurs.

These are all the things the owners have to consider with just a couple of weeks until the deadline for the lockout to begin. It would be nice to see some progress made in the short term to at least give fans hope the season won't be interrupted.

That hasn't happened yet, as both sides give off a sense that they aren't willing to budge. That stance that only becomes more frustrating with each passing day.

At this point, it's become a waiting game for fans—a somber game that some of them probably won't want to play for much longer before abandoning the NHL again.