[SamAdams76]

The season is toast for the NHL. The owners set a deadline for this weekend to get a new labor agreement in place but it's really just academic at this point. Even in the off-chance that the players cave and accept the salary cap this weekend, the earliest the season could start is early March as it would take at least 3-4 weeks to get the players into training camps and back in shape. That would mean about a 20-game season - a joke. The season would be shorter than the playoffs!

Pitchers and catchers report to training camp in 10 days. You think anybody is going to care about hockey at that point?

[cripplecreek]

Hockey, That's the game they play with rocks and brooms right?

[lormand]

I work with a guy from Winnepeg, and he no longer gives a crap about the NHL.

[Guillermo]

What is the NHL?

[buccaneer81]

I am heartsick. I love the Jackets and the NHL. I went to my first game on March 29 , 1972 in Boston as the Bruins beat the Minnesota North Stars 7-3.

[NorCalRepub]

I love going to see my Sharks but they better get a clue. Golf had a higher TV rating than hockey in 2003-2004. And I'm dead serious.......poor state of affairs for this sport if they don't start getting their sh** together....."just put the puck in the net, EH?"

[Clemenza]

What's the NHL?

[zarf]

Are there still hockey fans?

[Pamlico]

It's Bush's fault.

[Alberta's Child]

My own belief is that in an age of unfathomable player riches, not to mention ticket prices, the public has disconnected itself from the people who play and run the game.

There's a lot of truth to this. I consider myself among the most avid hockey fans on the planet, and yet my interest in watching hockey diminished considerably once I started playing the game.

Hockey isn't a cheap sport by any stretch -- and it's hard to cough up lots of money for hockey tickets to watch someone else do what I love to do myself.

[Leo Carpathian]

to get a new labor agreement in place

What labor? Hockey is a game, play. Done by players and not laborers. What is this world coming to. Can we get alone? Eh?

[GreenHornet]

NHL Fans Are Sick, Tired

I hear they're both pretty upset.

[A CA Guy]

Baseball and basketball made me care less with their strikes as well.
Who gives a darn, I'll watch other entertainment.

[Damifino]

As season ticket holders in Tampa, we're really hurtin' here. I really love the game and the regular guy players. What really hacks me off now is the owners refuse to declare the season canceled so they don't have to refund our $$. If there is no hockey, I'd like that money back now!

[furball4paws]

Hockey is the only pro sport I watch. I really miss it this time of year, but something needs to be done about the incredible amounts of money in sports going to athletes and owners. When I was a kid I used to watch Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay and the Richards and that great little guy Jacques Plante. I still love the game for its beauty and speed, but I will do without if I have to.

[Kommodor]

Two words: Replacement players.

If the regular players want to play in the NHL again, they can sign new contracts and accept the salary cap. If not, they can enjoy living off their copious savings accounts.

Just like those of us in the real world, if they don't like the salary, they can get a job somewhere else.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I grew up outside Buffalo NY and played hockey my entire young life.

No one cares about (aboot) hockey anymore. Nor for Canadians either.

[republicanequestrian]

I still get to watch hockey :) The Colorado Eagles still play, salary or no. I believe they play for the love of the game... amazing huh?

[gathersnomoss]

I don't watch it and I'm not black.

[smonk]

NHL Fans Are Sick, Tired

BOTH of them.

[republicanequestrian]

I still get to watch hockey :) The Colorado Eagles still play, salary or no. I believe they play for the love of the game... amazing huh?