Ok, I' m a canadian here, and for those of you who aren' t aware, we love hockey. The NHL has just cancelled the season because the players have decided that being able to make upwards of 10 million dollars a season just isn' t enough. For a league that makes a fraction of what the other major north american sports leauges do, I just cannot comprehend how the players think they deserve this. It' s frustrating to the extreme, and greedy beyond all measures. It' s crappy there' s no hockey, but better that then have it so screwed up that we have 10 guys on the ice so weighted down with " bling" that they can hardly skate. Wake up.

european super league....here we come

Ya this pissed my girlfriend off too. Its a ..was a big sport here in Minnesota. I' m noty a big fan so it doesnt have a big affect on me but shes hating it.

i was never a huge fan....always had my favorite team and *** but never really followed it. then last year my cousin got me into it and i was really excited this year to follow the NHL and drink a plenty and curse and cheer just as much...but alas....my dreams have been dashed and smashed assunder. dear NHLPA, i live off $7.50 an hour and am managing just fine.....why can' t you work for less too??

i was disappointed to hear about the NHL officially closing the doors on the season. its the only sport that NJ has a shot in hell at doing well in. oh well. back to pizza and mafia stuff.

Some reports are saying that one team that may actually benefit from the lockout is New Jersey. Aside from having undoubtably the best goalie in the world right now, they also have in my opinion the best defenseman.

New Jersey Devils: Only by the genius of GM Lou Lamoriello have the Devils stayed afloat over the years. A horrible lease at a bad rink and a mediocre attendance (24th last season at 14,912) bears no resemblance to the on-ice product: an automatic contender built on excellent drafting and shrewd dealing. Basically, if you put Lou' s Devils across the river in Ranger uniforms and MSG revenues, you' d have the best-run team in the history of pro sports. At least the Devils are getting out of Continental Airlines Arena, announcing earlier this month an agreement with the city of Newark to build a $310-million, 18,000-seat arena that is scheduled to open for the 2007-08 season. The city will pay about $210 million toward the project, a major victory for the Devils. Team has 31 players under contract for this season at $64.15 million, Scott Niedermayer tops at $7 million. There' s 14 under contract for 2005-06.

Verdict: To be honest, the lockout' s timing is perfect for the Devils, who can' t make money in their present situation anyway. The new rink will ensure their survival.

Excuse me while I weep bitter tears. Like the.ben I am a recent addict to the sport and for it to be gone now is sad. Sad sad sad. So long NHL!

I hate the fact that hockey is no more. I never really watched it before, and just when I started enjoying it, BAM! They got rid of it. I really hope that it comes back, because it is a really great sport, very entertaining and just fun. At least I have my hockey game, that will have to do for now.

Talks had resumed... and for one breif moment i was excited again, but it is all over once more. This sucks

the NHL season went down faster than a hooker on boxing day...

AFter a weekend of getting everybodies hopes up, they' re all back to their regular greedy selves. I' ll have to go back to watching old flames games on the NHL network.

if only i had the NHL network.

I do not see why the players cannot form their own league and play...maybe not this year, but maybe next (if things are still up in the air).

Two hockey players from the STL Blues are playing in the local circuit (minor league play), but it' s at least something...

All sports players are over-paid...not just hockey players!

The next time I hear about a ball player being paid something like $47 million, with a $6 million signing bonus, I will refuse to pay to see that sport. These salaries are driving up the ticket and concession costs, so that the ' regular' Joe and/or Jane cannot afford to take their families to see the games.

And anyone stating " sports players have short careers, so they should be paid more" is so full of it! Sports players know what the risks are, and they willingly accept them! That' s why they should have studied in college and received a degree in something other than sports playing!

I could lose my job tomorrow due to injury, and I am not asking for millions of dollars or signing bonuses!

If I can support a family of 5 on pretty much a single-salary, then ex-/sports athletes can do so as well!!!

One question needs to be asked...

Can I get an affirmation that all sports athletes stop whining about the pay they receive? It sure would be nice if they WOULD stop crying to those of us that make LESS than they do...as we could all stop going to the games, and put their sorry rears out of work!!!!!

Here' s where the virtual representation comes in. NHL 2K5 or if you want the sports management side Eastside Hockey Manager should help you through the pain.