NHL Lockout: Breaking Down Recent News on Labor Confrontation

For those that have forgotten or drank themselves into a stupor to forget, the NHL’s possible venture into a lockout won’t be the league’s first.

As a matter of fact, it was only eight years ago we lost a full NHL season.

With the sport just starting to get a foothold back in the world after all the damage the lockout caused, the league is heading down the same road once again.

As a hockey fan, this is absolutely the worst news we could ever receive.

The NHL owners and the players’ association are at a stalemate right now, and it’s getting to the point where many experts and fans alike are starting to grow concerned over a possible shortened-schedule or even an entire season lost again.

Two lost seasons in ten years would kill hockey’s mainstream marketability forever.

What They’re Saying

TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger is reporting on the breakdown of talks Friday and when they are going to really kick into gear:

"

NHL saw little or no movement from the players in today's round of discussions and therefore opts to recess CBA discussions.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 31, 2012"

"

As ominous as things may seem, the real negotiating won't start for either the NHL or PA until or around Sept 10.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 31, 2012"

Reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Rob Rossi, is reporting about how the owners viewed the way the initial talks broke down:

"

Bettman says owners did not elect to recess, calls that 'unfair characterization' #nhl #nhlpa

— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) August 31, 2012"

Octagon-Hockey’s Allan Walsh talks about how the payment to the two biggest players in the negotiating and how that may play a big role in the urgency of the situation:

"

Don Fehr does not collect any salary during a lockout of NHL players. Bettman still collects his $8M.

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) August 31, 2012"

NHL editor for Sovietsky Sport (Russia), Pavel Lysenkov, is already hearing the rumblings that many of the NHL’s biggest players will look to play and make money elsewhere:

"

Right now Malkin told me he'll play in Magnitogorsk if lockout happens. #pens #nhl

— Pavel Lysenkov (@plysenkov) August 29, 2012"

Key Dates (via Proice Hockey) 

September 15: Expiration date for the Collective Bargaining Agreement between NHL and NHL Players' Association. 

September 19: NHL preseason tentatively schedule begins

October 11: 2012-13 NHL regular season begins 

January 1: 2013 NHL Winter Classic: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

January 24-28: NHL All Star Break.

While there is still a chance that both sides could reach an agreement before the CBA expires on Sept. 15, the consensus around the league is that there will be a lockout; the only thing left to question will be how long it lasts.

Training camp and the preseason are scheduled to start around the same date that the CBA expires. That means this lockout will not start hurting the league a few months into the battle like it did the NFL; it will do damage from Day 1.

For me, there are two key dates; October 11 and January 1.

If a deal is not reached by the first date (start of the regular season) the NHL will play a shortened season like the NBA as long as they can reach an agreement later in the year.

If the league is locked out past January 1 (one month before NHL All-Star Game), the NHL will eventually cancel the season.

The hope is that the league doesn’t deprive the fans of the sport they love, but this is all about the money.

Check back for more on the National Hockey League as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NHL page to get your fill of all things hockey.

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