It is such a tragedy to see the National Hockey League become the next sport to go under another lockout because two sides can not come to an agreement. Sadly, this is not the first lockout that the NHL has gone through.
The last time the NHL has gone through a lockout was back in 2004. It was the first time since 1919 that the Stanley Cup was not won, and the first time a major professional sports league in North America canceled a complete season because of a labor dispute. The outcome was devastating. No one imagined the NHL would not have a season. However, the NHL proved to be different, and this could be history repeating itself.
This past Friday, Nov. 2 proved that the season may be in jeopardy because the two sides were unable to bargain fairly and the Winter Classic was cancelled as a result. I hope that this does not happen again because fans deserve to watch their team compete in another season in the NHL. I mean it was just recently that the L.A. Kings won the Stanley Cup and they have the right to defend their title.
The ongoing labor dispute began on Sept. 15, 2012 when the expiration of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement expired. It is like deja vu. It was just last year that the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expired but at least the NBA still had a season. You can not say the same for the NHL.
The NHL season is currently scheduled to begin on Dec. 1, 2012 with no more than 66 games to be played. When the lockout started I knew to say goodby to the 82-game season and now I just hope that the NHL can come with an agreement and the season can finally begin.
