This would be my 40th year as a hockey fan. I learned the game’s positions on an Oakland Seals-Pittsburgh Penguins table hockey game. I grew up following both the NHL and World Hockey Association. I fell asleep calling imaginary games I saw in my head. Forechecking schemes filled the margins of some school notebooks. The 11 seasons I covered the NHL day-to-day, being in the house for more than 100 games a year counting preseason, playoff and Cup Final games, ranks as the most enjoyable extended period of my career and probably always will.

This is what should worry the NHL and NHLPA: This time around, there are more people like me who’ve stopped caring if they play this year. And might not care if they’ll play in succeeding years.

-David J. Neal of the Miami Herald where you can read more on this topic.