Andy Chase

I like the concept of workers' unions. I came fairly close to joining one some time ago.

I should also say that although I've been following this season's NHL lockout, I'm not 100% familiar with all of the hidden pros, cons, and agendas on each side of the dispute.

At this point, though, I have to wonder what the NHLPA is thinking... they do realize that attendance (and consequently revenues) were already down before this dispute began, right? That NHL Hockey doesn't have nearly the audience that baseball/football/basketball have in the U.S.? Where exactly do they think their multimillion dollar, sky-is-the-limit, uncapped salaries are going to come from if owners have to price tickets out of the realm of affordability in order to pay them? Bruins tickets cost upwards of $40 last season, which is hard to think of as "affordable" to begin with.

My sentiments can best be summed up by some words from this fan's email to the NHLPA:

In closing, I'd like to say that I hope these new meetings I'm hearing about will be productive and we will get an abbreviated season. But like I said, if we don't, f--- you. I hope scabs and current players that jump the NHLPA sinking ship play next season and we never have to hear about your selfish organization ever again.