The 2012-13 NHL season was supposed to kick off tonight with four games, but that's been scrapped because of an NHL lockout that is showing no signs of ending any time soon.
After two days of NHL and NHLPA meetings in New York regarding non-core economic issues (aka nothing remotely that could end the lockout), the sides broke apart today with no future meetings yet scheduled. I'll spare you the aggravating rhetoric that even I'm tired of, but the NHL refuses to make another proposal until the NHLPA counters its proposal from last month.
It's been floated that the union is working on a proposal, and the league urges the players to make it already.
Yada, yada, yada.
In the meantime, the team I'm focusing on because they've actually decided to suit up this year (I'm guessing my irritation with the NHL and NHLPA right now is palpable) is the Gophers men's hockey team. They open Friday against Michigan State. Hopefully you saw today's Nick Bjugstad feature here and in Friday's paper, I take a look at the goalie situation.
Defending the Blue Line will announce Friday the names of many of the players taking part in the Oct. 28 charity game at Mariucci. Some real cool names, and not just locally-based ones. I'll have that posted in the morning. Interested in tickets? Click this link.
In Houston, the Wild's AHL affiliate opens Saturday against Charlotte. The Aeros announced their roster today, and there's no surprises. Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle and Jonas Brodin made the team.
Here it is, and pay attention to the Aeros this year because I promise you, it'll be the only pro hockey you'll get to experience for a long time:
