Taking a cue from the recent NFL and NBA lockouts, the NHL finally engaged a federal mediator to assist with the negotiations.  As a result, and after 113 days of work stoppage, there is finally a tentative agreement on the table.  Unfortunately, the agreement comes a little late in the game as now 1/2 the season has already been cancelled.  

While baseball learned its lesson following its cancelled post season and World Series in 1994-5, that same lesson appeared to have gone right over the NHL’s head.  After cancelling the entire 2004-5 season and watching the NBA lose half a season in 2011-12, the next opportunity to collectively bargain brought yet another work stoppage.  Apparently, some fiscal lessons are very difficult to learn...

But, at least a deal appears to be done.  So let the administrative, concessions, janitorial, stadium employee and player hiring resume, let the local communities recoup some lost revenue due to the cancellations, and let the games begin!