NHL

In Case You Were Wondering, The NHL Is Likely Headed Towards Its Second Lockout In 8 Years

I know it’s not the first sport on everyone’s (anyone’s) mind right now, but if you’re a hockey fan, you might want to look away. Your nightmare is slowly creeping towards reality. If the fact that the first full CBA bargaining session between the league and NHLPA lasted only 90 minutes is any indication, hockey’s second work stoppage in the last eight years is all but inevitable.

Hockey’s CBA is set to expire on September 15, and have no doubts about it, it will expire. Upon that date, the league will lock out the players. Unless you’re an Islanders fan (I’m one, so it’s OK), this news isn’t so great. Commish Gary Bettman says the only way for talks to progress is for the two sides to solve their “fundamental economic issues”, which you know, is commish speak for “Don’t hold your breath.”

A 90-minute talk is not promising. However, if you could hang your hat on anything, remember that this talk was the first of its kind and it’s going to take a lot of work and deliberation to get players and owners on the same page. The two sides are apparently so far apart that they might as well not even be playing on the same (proverbial) rink.

Keep those zambonis in the garage: it could be a while before we see hockey again.

[Sports Illustrated, photo via Getty]