48-Game Regular Season could kick off January 19 League hints -NHL Update
As updates come quicker and smoother now that the lockout is almost officially over with as the National Hockey League (NHL) and Players’ Association finalise a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement, fans can expect a 48-game regular season to kick
off as soon as January 19th, sources claim.
According to ESPN.com and a number of other sources with insiders, a 48-game regular season has been agreed upon but a vote still is yet to come underway by team owners to finalise the contract officially before anything can be said for sure. While it may
just be a formality now, having it covered before saying anything confirmative is important for both sides.
''I think 48 is most likely at this point, unless the players can expedite their ratification process,'' NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email Monday to The Associated Press.
Now that the season will finally be back on after the lockout became official on September 15, 2012, fans cannot wait to get back at watching the sport they so dearly love and for not giving that to them, a lot of NHL officials are apologetic.
''As we prepare for the season opener, I want to apologize to all Blues fans, especially our season ticket holders, suite holders, and sponsors,'' St. Louis Blues owner Tom Stillman said in a statement released by the team. ''We share in your disappointment
and frustration about the lockout.''
There are still a number of players, under contract, around the different leagues in world like Russia, Germany, Finland and others. They will be given ample time to make a comeback, but like the previous lockouts, it is not sure that all will return in
time to get back to playing in the North American hockey league.
Due to not having half a season, the NHL is geared up to lose potentially $1 billion because of the lockout and the way things have gone, but fortunately, many are just happy at the thought that they ended much better off by not missing out on the entire
hockey year.
Updates should be expected in the next 24-48 hours.
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