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We shall see, I suppose. In any case, Goodenow would have to be toast.

This would be great, and truly wouldn't surprise me. I personally don't consider the "95" season legit, partially because the Devils won (hehe), and wouldn't consider this season so much either. But getting the guys on the ice and warming up for some playoffs would make it a fun ol' time.

The season will be considered legitimate by the fans of the team that wins the Stanley Cup. Everyone else will whine for ten years or until the next lockout, whichever comes first.

There will likely be few rule changes -- the size of goalie pads, probably, as that was talked about before the lockout. The changes that are in place in the AHL were going to be used there for a year; those rules would not be considered in the NHL before 2005-06, anyway. I imagine the powers-that-be will stick to that time frame as there's far more to worry about with regards to scheduling and all.

Well, the season will probably be "legit" if Detroit or Colorado, maybe the Habs or Toronto win it. If the Preds or Sharks or the Kings or Ducks win, then nobody will give it any measure of legitimacy.

From that stantpoint it will be a joke.

It'll also take a good half-season for the players to really get back into game shape, considering it usually takes guys 10-15 games to really get back into the groove after a significant injury. So, by the 14-game mark we may actually see some good hockey.

Also by the 14-game mark (the half-way point in the season -- yeah, say that again -- the 14-game mark is the half-way point of the season) the refs may have a good idea of how to call the new rules if new rules are in place.

Then, again, with a 28-game season (assuming that's what we're talking about), the refs may actually call obstruction for the entire regular season.

Of course, playing this season isn't about the hockey. It's about THE BUSINESS OF HOCKEY. All the sponsors will remain involved for this year. And, that in turn improves the chances that they'll stay involved for next season. Not playing this year just increases the chances that none of them would be back.

While it may not be good, at least the hockey will be exciting: 28 games, all in the conference. It's a full playoff schedule (four rounds of seven games) for the regular season. The battles will be intense and one 5-game losing streak probably ends any hope of making the playoffs.

It'll be furious.

I bet ya they'll make this agreement official. Now we just have to wait till Tuesday when they cancel the un-canceled canceled season.

I guess this means that Eklund, like the stopped clock, was finally right.

I was chatting with a friend that works for the Stars last night, and he told me he's been put on alert to return to work. He fully believes he's going back to the arena soon, and will be finding out in a meeting today.

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