[ChuckElias]

The problem IMHO is not simply a player/owner issue. Yes, the players' salaries are too high; but who agrees to pay them those salaries?

The larger issue, the real problem, and the reason the NHL is doomed to a collapse back to the original 6 teams, is that nobody in the USA watches hockey on TV.

Why is the NFL the most financially successful professional sport? Because of its national TV contracts! People want to watch football on TV. People will sit through commercials in order to watch football on TV. People get excited about watching commercials during football's championship game.

The money that is necessary to pay high salaries and still have a viable league comes from the TV networks. FOX paid a ridiculous amount for their NHL contract and bled cash. They couldn't wait to get rid of the contract. ESPN is ecstatic when they get a 1.0 rating for a weeknight game. ABC hates their contract so much that they show almost no hockey until the Cup finals.

The networks simply won't pay enough to make the league successful financially anymore. So my guess is that several teams will fold, the schedule will shorten to about 50 games, and the NHL will return in a couple years. From what I've heard, the owners have pretty much written off the '04-'05 season. It's a shame too. I was really looking forward to a good Columbus/Tampa Bay game on a cold Wednesday night.