No End In Sight For NHL Lockout

By Rob Winn in News on Sep 19, 2012 4:20PM

As the NHL lockout rolls on, both sides are digging in their heels. The players and the owners seem resigned to the fact that this lockout will drag on for months and possibly cancel the entire season. Stars Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk have all signed with the KHL or Swedish league. And the Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames have already laid off employees.

With neither side talking and no meetings scheduled, it's logical to think that hockey won't be back until early winter at best. Right now both sides are content pointing fingers instead of negotiating. After organizing a practice with fellow players living in the Chicago area, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews weighed in on the debate saying "It's up to [the league] to figure it out. I think the plan that we've come up with makes a lot of sense for that. There is no reason why the league can't accept things."

Toews also said he isn't leaving for Europe just yet, but still left open the possibility. "That's something I've been thinking about. It's in the back of my mind right now. It's definitely an option."

So far, the Blackhawks and Rocky Wirtz have been mum on the nuts and bolts of the negotiations. They've only spoke to detailed their plan for current ticket holders and yesterday a spokesman for the Hawks said the team will not make any personnel changes "for the foreseeable future."

Now that the start of the season is in jeopardy, many hockey fans are left to wonder when the sides will resume talks if they plan on avoiding another yearlong lockout. The Blackhawks are holding another informal workout at Johnny's Ice House today and Patrick Kane is among the Blackhawks on the ice. Bartenders beware and hide the women and children.