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A lot has changed since the 2004-05 lockout. A big change: Twitter.
Things aren't looking good between the players and the owners on a new collective bargaining agreement by the Sept. 15 deadline, and now players are taking to Twitter to voice their displeasure, namely against commissioner Gary Bettman.
Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist tweeted that he's been acting strangely — he went to walk the dog but forgot the pooch — and he said it could be his introduction to parenthood...or Bettman for already talking about a lockout.
In a second tweet, Lundqvist questioned why the owners would not agree to playing another year under the current CBA, which they essentially designed in 2005.
Former Ranger and current Montreal Canadien Brandon Prust said he was "disappointed" that the league is already talking about a lockout before even hearing the players' first proposal, which is expected Tuesday.
You have to figure at this point we're going to miss at least part of the season. I don't see the entire season getting wiped out because in the end, I do think both sides understand what is at risk if a second season in eight years is lost to a lockout.
Even if a bit of the season is lost, it will hurt the popularity of the sport in America, where it's been a distant fourth since 2005. The league has made great strides and all signs point to progress being made, but another lockout will hurt that progress.
Prust really has a point. Bettman is already using the 'L' word without even hearing what the players want. That isn't a good sign.
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