nhl lockout News

It's all great and super that the NHL and its players association have worked out their differences, but what about the fans?

New York - Both organizations have come together on a collective bargaining agreement that will result in a shortened professional ice hockey season beginning later in the month.

New York - Now that the world is safe from the fiscal cliff the next big issue is whether or not 2013 will see an abbreviated season from the NHL, today NHL commissioner Gary Bettman remains cautiously optimistic that it will.

There is one event, and one media company, that will benefit significantly from the NHL lockout. The World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC) is going to be a record-breaking television event for BELL/TSN in Canada.

It seems unlikely the NHLs Gary Bettman or the NHLPAs Donald Fehr are in a mood to listen to an outsider when it comes to ending their CBA dispute. But if they were they might consider heeding the words of no less a figure than the U.S. president.

Detroit Red Wing Todd Bertuzzi does not seem optimistic mediation will help work out a deal between the NHL and NHLPA, nor does he feel that decertification will do it. Bertuzzi figures the 2012-13 NHL season will soon be a victim of time.

If you insist on blaming the NHL lockout solely on Gary Bettman, that's fine. But while you're at it go ahead and blame the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic entirely on the tip of the iceberg. The evidence suggests someone else at work.

Look, I'm a pretty big hockey fan and next to my son's Pee Wee league, the NHL is tops with me. It's a great league and when not dealing with their contracts, professional hockey players seem like fine humans.

On Monday Sidney Crosby spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the lockout and hunt for a CBA with the NHL. The Penguins captain is frustrated and suggested the reason there's been no deal is the NHL refuses to move from its demands.

The Kevin Bieksa Buddies charity game hit the ice on Wednesday night in Vancouver and included a coach known for crooning, not hockey. Canadian singer Michael Bublé was behind the bench to help raise funds for charity, that after deciding not to play.