So, what kind of changes do you think will take place? I suspect they will be out at least a full season, or quite possibly more. Hockey does not belong in Southern states. It is too regional. Canada, and the Northern US. I'll bet there will not be more than 18 to 20 teams come back. There is just not enough TV money to support it. In the NFL, TV pays enough for the total team payroll. In Hockey, not even a good start. Hockey relies almost totally on gate receipts, and there is not enough money to pay current salary structure. I am totally on the side of a salary cap. The owners offer is much more than fair. Players are foolish, if they think they can continue to be paid as they are now. TV does not need Hockey, at all. I would not be surprised if bowling on ESPN (I saw it was on today) drew as big a share as Hockey would, if you look at national numbers. Even the Stanley Cup games do not draw decent numbers. There are lots of diehard fans, I am one, but not nearly enough to support the league as they have it.
Let's talk about it.