The Hockey Program mailbag session continues with another question sent by Captain Spaulding (@midtnweather) via Twitter.
Spaulding asks, “Is there any chance of a lockout being cancelled?”.
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League.
Yes there is a chance that the NHL lockout can be lifted. Right now, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire this Saturday, September 15. If the NHL and the Players’ Association don’t agree to a new CBA by that date at 11:59 PM ET, there will be a lockout.
However, the NHL and NHLPA do have plenty of time to get a new CBA. The 2012-13 NHL regular season doesn’t start until October 11, which is the date the NHLPA feels that the deadline to get a new deal done is. Of course that pains the fans, writers and even myself, but as long as there is hockey, everyone should all be happy.
Another deadline which could be made is Thanksgiving Day. That day in which we should all be thankful for family could turn into hatred and wanting to cry. If there is a new CBA agreed upon around that time, expect the season to be shortened from 82 games to just 72. On the contrary, of there isn’t a deal in place by then, expect no hockey for the entire season.
Follow Fang Finger on Twitter @Fang_Faction. Send him an email to thehockeymailbag@yahoo.com if you have questions for his mailbag.
