The NHL, Once Again, Is About to Lock Itself Out

Gary Bettman (above) is certainly making himself to be Public Enemy #1 once again. 
(Credit: Associated Press Photo/Mary Altaffer)

“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

Cool Hand Luke is the birthplace of that famous quote. Though 45 years later, it seems that we are right back down that road with the National Hockey League.

According to the NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly and TheCanadian Press, as well as TSN, there will not be any formal negotiations torestructure and agree upon a new collective bargaining agreement. There are only a few more hours left on that agreement that is set to expire. This means that there is going to be yet another lockout for the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association.

This will be the second lockout since the year 2004. 

C’mon, guys. Really?

The NHL is already jilted with disrespect from many in the United States, even though the last few postseasons have been nothing short of incredible. The league was starting to once again regain traction, with its ratings levels climbing, a rebranding to help boost the distribution of its main television carrier, and major moves in the offseason. After all of this, we’ve hit rock bottom.

Again.

This will be the third lockout on Gary Bettman’s resumé. There was a lockout in the 1994-95 season, which was a lockout followed one of its historic franchises (the New York Rangers) in its major markets (the NY Metro Area) winning the Stanley Cup. That lockout lasted 103 days, which cut into the season, but did not erase all of it. Nine years later, another lockout occurred; this one was much more infamous. The 2004-05 NHL lockout was the only lockout in the history of North American sports leagues to cancel an entire season (That lockout was settled on July 13, 2005).

Now against all odds, just seven years later, we are headed down that path again. We are looking at a grim and gloomy scene shrouding over a sports league that has produced some of North America’s greatest athletes, as well as the entire world. Some of sports’ greatest moments have come from the National Hockey League. Now? None of that matters, and instead, greed has taken the spotlight.

The National Hockey League, by the end of the night, will receive another powerful left hook to the face. This will leave a burly black eye on the league and its credibility after it was looking to once again be at 100-percent.

What a shame.

I have been a lifelong hockey fan, as has my dad. I was raised to be a New Jersey Devils fan despite my mom, and mom’s family all being New York Rangers fans. Yes I know, the Devils are not notoriously known for a strong fanbase. What they have accomplished however since I have been born is much more than a lot of teams can say. I have been alive for three Stanley Cup victories and five Stanley Cup appearances. Since 1991 there is only one team that has accomplished anything close to that feat: the Detroit Red Wings, who have been to six Stanley Cups and won four of them.

This upsets me greatly.

I have watched some incredible games, some going far into the night. I have watched teams end long Stanley Cup droughts, like the Chicago Blackhawks. You could have written a better script for them. Okay, maybe you could have and made it so that Patrick Kane was not the only person who saw the puck go through Michael Leighton’s legs. Much respect to the Boston Bruins, the Red Wings, the Rangers (I guess) who all have ended droughts in my life time. I have also had the pleasure of watching some new teams ascend to the throne. The Devils, the Avalanche, the Lightning, the Stars, the Hurricanes, the Ducks, and the Kings have all gotten to the top of the mountain in my lifetime for at least the first time.  

I have watched great players through their careers, and some greats retire on top. Looking at you Ray Bourque, and looking at you too Mark Recchi.

This is gut wrenching.

The fact of the matter is I really, really hope that something is resolved as soon as possible. I do not at this point expect the season to be started on time. At this point, that’s to be expected with this labor disagreement. But please, NHL. Do not give yourselves a mean left hook. Do not have such powerful disagreement once again to the extent that an entire season is lost.

Otherwise, this lockout could be nothing more than a death toll, without proper communication.