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You might only be vaguely aware of it, especially on this weekend full of football, but the NHL is still locked out and there is no sign of an end. We're thankful for this, and we'll tell you why.
(Here's a quick recap of the negotiations so far: Well, it's like every sorts lockout of the last decade. Both sides wouldn't budge at first, but then the league conceded a little ground, and then the player's conceded a little ground. Then everything went to hell and both sides were stubborn again. And then there was some more conceding, and then some more hard lining. The latest is they're, "still far apart," on, y'know, all the important things. This morning there are rumors the players union will decertify, similar to what NBA players did to end their lockout.)
There is no sign of a Christmas Day start like the NBA had after their last lockout. There was no rush to save the season like the NFL. Obama told Leno, "these guys should get this done." Thanks for that, POTUS. Really lighting a fire under the negotiations there. The Canadian government is at least aware of the lockout because the player's association wrote a letter to parliament this week. Prime Minister Harper hasn't said squat, though. But this is all a good thing, and this is why.