What the Puck?

So here we are. It finally happened -- the NHL cancelled its season. I have had various rants throughout my columns since last summer on the lockout and CBA problems, but now it has finally occurred. I must say that I was not really shocked that Mr. Bettman brought the axe down. As I listened to the press conference, I realized that maybe the owners are right. They have seemed to put the offers up, and it's the NHLPA that is the enemy. Listening to their press conference, Mr. Goodenow seemed to dodge most questions, instead firing back at the NHL and blaming Bettman. I wonder if Goodenow even listened to the NHL's conference. I don't think he did.

The thing that really pisses me off was the few days after. On Friday, I heard rumblings that there were players who were coming up with a proposal and that there would be a meeting on Saturday. Even Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux would be involved. I started to get excited -- could the NHL really come back from the dead? I was constantly checking the web on Saturday. ESPN was reporting that a preliminary deal had been struck and that an announcement could come later in the day. The cap was to be at $45 million. Liza and I were going out dinner, a late Valentine's dinner. When we arrived at the restaurant, my brother called and said that the meeting just ended, and everyone was waiting for the results. While at dinner, I was jotting down the offensive and defensive lines for the Blue Jackets, hoping that maybe the new schedule would include a game on our one-year wedding anniversary. I was geeking out.

When I got home, I rushed upstairs to check on the progress. Loading up TSN.ca, I was crushed to see the words “"SEASON CANCELLED (AGAIN)."” Another huge blow. The NHL had canceled the season twice in a span of four days. Unreal. As the days passed, it turned out that they were never near a new deal. The salary cap was the rock... and again, no one wanted to budge -- the NHL wass firm at $42.5 million and the NHLPA remained stuck on $49 million. I sulked the rest of the day in my new almost-finished Blue Jackets room.

So here we are. Solutions? I have some. First, the two sides actually need to talk. And the NHLPA needs to talk internally. Why, after five months, did they crack and give in to the salary cap? If they would have given in five months ago, then we could be playing hockey right now. The rumbling of players leads me to believe that the solidarity of the union is not there. Maybe Goodenow should be shown the door. If I were an NHL owner, I would be voting to use replacement players come September when training camps are set to open. As a fan, I would hate it. But I think that this will show the players the owners want hockey back, with or without them. The union should crumble. Maybe a deal can get done before the season actually opens, so we the fans don't actually have to pay $75 to see career AHL'ers on the ice. Then again, maybe ticket prices will drop if a new CBA is a vital to the league as they say. The NHL will need to find something that will bring the fans back. Cheaper prices? Better marketing? Closeness to players? How about parity? In the NFL, most teams have a chance to win the Super Bowl. In the NHL, it seems only a handful of teams -- the Detroits, Colorados, and Dallas -- who spend big are the favorites. Imagine if a winning team was in Columbus, a city that is seventh in ticket sales. Imagine hoisting a cup in Nashville. Like Tampa Bay did last year, the small market teams can do wonders by winning. The fringe fans will be back, the stands will be packed. Any fan of hockey would relish the chance to touch the cup, just like the players. But for now, Stanley is doing the same thing I am. Sitting. And waiting.

Next month, tune in for the Cheap Seats baseball preview. Do you really think I'll pick the Yankees again?

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Cousy Kane can't wait for the hurt to stop -- thankfully, time -- and Spring Training -- heals all wounds.