Take Two

Who’d have guessed? Yeah, a topic change seems in order.

Did you see the terrific seven games for the Stanley Cup last year? Most people didn’t, so would anybody really miss the NHL this year?

More than 25 % of NHL players have decided to head for Europe while there’s rumblings that “replacement” players could become a reality. Don’t let the NHL hear anybody talking that way, though.

The work stoppage has plenty of history and lots to consider. In addition to Europe, could smaller leagues around the country begin to capitalize off the NHL’s troubles?

I would like to cover the current NHL work stoppage, keeping an eye on current (and maybe former) Chicago Blackhawks who may look elsewhere for work. Who is really losing because of this lockout? Can the NHL recover from all the money being lost? Could the Chicago Wolves come away a big winner in all this?

I’d seek out fans of the Wolves and/or the Blackhawks to get personal views on the consequences of the work stoppage. Hockey insiders could offer insight on progress being made during the talks. P.R. reps or the front office for the Wolves could offer insight into how the lockout helps or hurts the Chicago AHL franchise. In addition to seeking out these people, I intend to follow attendance patterns in the smaller leagues, stay up to date on where the marquee NHL players decide to go, and hopefully offer up some kind of conclusion about what the future of hockey holds in the United States.

It appears that what some of the NHL’s players decide to do could get pretty interesting.