The NHL and NHLPA had plenty of time to hammer out a new deal. They had the whole summer to sit at the table and try to come to some sort of an agreement to keep the season on track and open up training camps on time. The players were even willing to play while the negotiations continued, but the owners were not receptive to that idea. With all this time on their hands you would have thought they would be burning the midnight oil and getting a new CBA in place. The only problem with that idea was counting on both sides to be willing to meet and get it done. Now after a handfull of meeting in the basket we are at a stalemate. WE, yes we the fans are part of this. The players are now locked out, the owners took the puck and went home, and the fans are standing around scratching their heads trying to figure out what to do this winter.
Day 1 of the lockout is in full effect. Some NHL stars are heading to europe to play, the AHL has been loaded up with ringers who should not be there, the remaining players are left to practice on their own until something is worked out. The owners clearly hold the advantage, but in my eyes are clearly the problem. They want to cut back on salaries, cut back on sharing of the revenue. Have they looked at what they have done over the last few months? They sure as hell have not taken into consideration what the lockout will do to their revenue for this season. Nashville and Minnesota have recently put a ton of money on the table for three players. How can you offer to pay out that sort of money and then come back a few weeks later saying that you have to cut salaries to remain profitable? Don’t shell out the money if you don’t want to pay it!! And this revenue sharing bit…….Hmmm…..You cant share revenue if you don’t have revenue coming in.
My message to the NHL and NHLPA….. Please get back to doing what you do. Play the damn game. You are making a mockery of the sport. The KHL is more than happy to take your stars, even if it’s for a short-term. Who knows, some of them might stay or move on after the season (if it ever happens). You have made a mockery of the AHL. Really a development league stacked with prospects that should be playing in the NHL? What happens to those AHL players that should be playing in the AHL that are now on the outside looking in? Sure the AHL will have some great hockey, but what happens when a deal is signed? Hmmm….the quality of play will drop dramatically. And what about the fans? Sure most will come back, but what about those that you lose? Lose your fans you lose some revenue. Its crunch time. Its time to get things back on track. Time to get back to the table and stay there until a deal is done.
I'm not the average hockey nut. It took a bit to grow, but when it did it was like a drug flowing in my veins. I am a season ticket holder of the Norfolk Admirals, longtime supporter of the Washington Capitals, and part time supporter of the Anaheim Ducks (It's hard, but it can be done). My blog is a result of the lack of good sources of Admirals information and happenings. Our paper provides very weak coverage and there is only so much the Admirals themselves can do. There are not to many blogs that cover the Admirals, and when they do it is just rehashed information from the club, the AHL. Nine times out of ten the blogger doesn't even live in the area or go to the games. So what do I want to do? Hmm...good question. I would use this as an outlet for getting out information about the Admirals. Not necessarily the information provided by official channels, but news and information from a fans point of view. Hopefully this is something I can accomplish. I am open to criticism, comments, contributions of infomation for the site. Thank You and Welcome......
Vultures Row 
It is unfortunate for all hockey fans that this lockout did occur. But as an AHL fan who experienced the better level of play in the last lockout it will be a fun season for us in Norfolk. Anaheim has sent us so really good players as the other teams with their affiliates. But we will be competitive for sure.