A long and drawn out lockout ended early Sunday morning when the National Hockey League (NHL) and its players’ union agreed to a deal that’s expected to be ratified in the coming week. The lockout lasted a total of 113 days and began as a result of a labor dispute between the players’ union and the owners of the league franchises.
The problem arose when teams and team owners decided they would reduce players’ share in the teams, eliminate signing bonuses, and set salary caps. Naturally, players objected. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman declared a lockout of the members of the National Hockey League Player’s Association (NHLPA) after a new agreement could not be reached before the deadline of the National Hockey League’s collective bargaining agreement.
“The lockout was an enormous bummer for hockey fans because we all love seeing our favorite teams and players play, and with the lockout we couldn’t do that,” junior Daniel Levin said.
After more than fifty percent of the seasons scheduled games were cancelled due to the lockout, students here at Carlsbad High School are excited to watch players return to the ice on either January 15th or 19th.
“I was extremely happy that the NHL and NHLPA came to an agreement. I’m excited to get to watch some hockey,” junior Christian Tabone said.
Although the lockout is over, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Almost a decade ago, during the 2004-2005 season, a lockout like this one cancelled the entire season and it’s games. Could something like this happen again?
“From what I’ve heard, the two parties made a ten year deal. I’m confident there won’t be another lockout in the next ten years and that fans will get their fair share of the sport,” Tabone said.
So it seems that the NHL will be back for awhile. Although more than half the season was cancelled, fans of the sport are excited to get back and watch the great sport of hockey return to the ice for another season.
