I grew up in a state where people paid attention to hockey. I learned to skate once I could walk, my family had season college hockey tickets, and we frequently went to professional games. Between college and professional only, I’ve attended hundreds of hockey games – let alone the thousands more I’ve watched on TV over the years. So, when the news broke earlier this week that the NHL lockout ended, I was really excited, right?? Not really, and I still can’t honestly say that I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. This may change once the first puck drops, but we will see.

First of all, I’m not a Gary Bettman fan. I think he’s the worst commissioner in sports and cares so much more about his personal agenda than the fans or sport he has hurt in the process. His apology today felt insincere and 100% like a PR move in hopes of people paying attention to this diluted season. A recent poll in Canada showed that 53% of Canadians didn’t care if the NHL came back this season. I realized that they have many other leagues they can watch up there, but is still a sign of the damage that was done from the lockout. I’m in the minority in the US by being a hockey fan. It’s easily the least popular of the 4 main professional sports in this country. The lockout surely won’t help the popularity of hockey here and many of the casual fans have already moved on to other sports.  People have found other shows, sports and activities to take up their time and now is a matter of time to see if the NHL will find a spot on their schedule.

So at this point, the season will return on January 19^th and will be with us until July. The hardcore fans will be watching and attending games. Some fans will likely be squeezed out of being able to attend any games with less available games to choose from, which I assume will also mean more expensive tickets – particularly on the secondary market that many of us have to turn to. The arenas will be full still for the small number of home games that teams (mainly in big markets or the original 6) have, but the future is much more uncertain for other franchises.

A mere 48 games will decide what teams get to play for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Over 600 games canceled, No Winter Classic, No All Star Game, and no time for fun streaks or long story lines to develop. Just a quick and exhausting season for the guys where there is an increased chance of injuries with a short camp and no preseason. We saw this last year with the NBA. It will feel tainted like the 66 basketball games last year did at times and many claim that the Finals should have an asterisk next to it.

On a positive note for fans watching, every game will matter. It will matter more than any game has before. There’s no time for guys to have a cold streak or for goalies to struggle. The games that happen will be exciting when you team plays well and extra frustrating when they don’t. The luxury of early season games being forgotten no longer exists.

The long-term damage, if any, is yet to be seen. Three work stoppages (1994, 2004, 2012) doesn’t make the sport or its players any more endearing.  That being said, ready or not, it’s almost time to lace up those skates and hit the ice.  I’ll be watching, it’s what I do, but who else will be this year?

Just for fun, here’s my early prediction for the Stanley Cup Finals: Penguins over Wild in 6 games.