I'm a life-long NY Ranger fan, after cutting my hockey teeth on the Long Island Ducks captained by John Brophy who was the coach/player they modeled the lead in Slapshot after (palyed by Paul Newman)...God, I miss hockey...
But the NHL has only itself to blame. The game itself has become almost unwatchable with the talent dilution due to over-expansion and the allowing of clutch and grab obstruction throughout the regular season. Stanley Cup playoff hockey is still one of the most beautiful sporting events to behold...but the regular season? Blech...
I place plenty of blame on both of the arguing parties...the owners for granting contracts that their revenues do not support, the league for over-expanding into non-hockey markets leaving 6-8 teams in constant financial turmoil and diluting the talent and the players for not acting in a financially responsible manner (but it's hard to blame someone for not seeking the most money they can garner in their line of work).
A pox on all of them!
Yeah, the NHL is a mess, but maybe the AHL will replace it. Here in Connecticut we have two good AHL teams in Hartford and Bridgeport - let the NHL go, the AHL games are just as enjoyable to watch and actually affordable for a family.