I choose to believe the guy in the middle is Marian Hossa

The NHL owners made good on their threat to wait out the Players Association today, canceling the first 82 games of its season. The first of the games called was scheduled next week with 4 games on October 11th.  You all know the story by now, of course.  The NHLPA and the NHL cannot figure out how best to split a staggering 3 billion dollar pot. Both sides, of course, claim to be looking out for the best interests of the fans. The players are probably closer to the right in this instance, but it wasn’t all that long ago that their belligerence cost us a season. Both sides have now shown a willingness and ability to be stubborn and petty. The players seven years ago, management today. I’m pretty apathetic at this point.

The Blackhawks will miss a lame opening night with Columbus, but will also miss their first trip to Winnipeg, which could explain why Jonathan Toews sounded so pissed off today.  Games with Detroit, St. Louis and a potentially exciting Colorado team are gone too. Nobody has any idea what a season will look like due to the massive uncertainty. so who knows if these games will ever be made up. Probably not. Who knows.

Thank the Risen Lord for Thursday Night Football every week this year.