- Ageless wonders have to call it quits eventually: Even though Devils fans believe Martin Brodeur is going to be their starting goalie until he is 50 years old, we all know that is not the case. Brodeur, Selanne, Alfredsson, Jagr, Roloson, Whitney, and many other great veterans of the game are not getting any younger. Even if some of them do come back to play another year or two, we are still losing a year of our favorite players. I don't think Ottowa fans could forgive the NHL if Daniel Alfredsson never suits up in a Senators jersey ever again. It would be a horrible way to go out to retire due to a contract dispute, rather than because you want to call it quits.
- Some teams have used an "all in" approach to building their team: While the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers might be ok with giving their youngsters an extra year of seasoning in the minor leagues before they see full time action at the NHL level, some teams are not in the same situation as them. Teams such as the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks have used this "win now" approach when building their teams. Chara, Datsyuk, Thornton, and the Sedins aren't necessarily old (32-36), but they aren't getting younger either. They are in their prime as far as talent and wisdom coming together to have a complete game. Outside of Marchand, Seguin, Couture, Smith, and Schneider there are not a lot of talented players on these 4 teams under the age of 26. Fans of these 4 teams and teams that have built similarly should be upset that they have lost a year in which they are a contender with players getting up there in age. As a Red Wings and Sharks fan, this is especially upsetting for me.
- Loss of Winter Classic and HBO series: Maybe more exciting than the actual game itself, hockey fans have grown to love the HBO series on the road to the Winter Classic. What a disappointment for hockey fans to lose this program. I believe not only would this show be incredibly entertaining, but it could reveal why Detroit is one of the best teams in sports, while the Leafs are as laughable as the Chicago Cubs. Mike Babcock is considered by many to be one of the best coaches in the game today. Meanwhile Randy Carlyle is not necessarily a favorite coach to the players. I was looking forward to seeing the terrible relationship between Carlyle and Lupul (going back to their Anaheim days when he told Lupul he couldn't be a top 6 forward in the NHL). In his first year in Toronto, Carlyle has to fix the torn relationship between him and one of Toronto's best players. This is one of the things I was looking forward to before the Winter Classic was cancelled. It is good to note that Toronto and Detroit are still expected to play in the Winter Classic next season. However, the lockout has for now killed a New Years Day event as well as a great tv show.
- Fantasy Sports: What is the fun of sports without fantasy sports? My fantasy hockey team has finished 2nd in the league 3 years in a row. I think I finally figure out what I was doing wrong! I have been taking players on good teams, so by the team fantasy playoffs roll around, my players have mostly all clinched a playoff spot. Because of this, my star players see less ice time and have less production. Maybe this is my problem, maybe its not? I will not know due to the lost season of fantasy hockey. I will await next year as the reigning first loser.....
In all the loses of the lockout, there is but 1 clear winner:
Tim Thomas!
He will enjoy his rest and relaxation with his family time while everyone else weeps about losing the great sport of hockey.
