from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

Right now, the fans can’t do much, except in the most peripheral way. But they sure can have an influence on how the industry of hockey looks once the dispute is settled – this time, by sticking to their guns, and legitimately learning to live without NHL hockey.

If the return of the NHL is greeted by a collective public indifference, only then can these poor souls – owners and players – be jarred out of their collective fog. If that had happened seven years ago, if it had taken a couple of seasons to get the league back in the public’s good graces, then all the talk this week would be about the opening of training camps and the hope that accompanies a new season.

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