The New League
by Timmy Corbett
In the eyes of a player, the new collective bargaining agreement is a devastating defeat, and an about face by their union. The fans also have turned away from the sport, and as a deeper insult, so will some players. Established stars will retire without fanfare, without a proper farewell of any kind. With the pay scale and emergence of the European economy quite similar to North America, many Europeans will stay in their native lands to play instead of venturing to the NHL.
The European leagues have a less grinding style than the North American system based style, it affords more finesse passing and open speed. Young players will no longer have to come over to immerse themselves in new styles, new languages, new schools and new cultures for the gamble of making it in the NHL. The new CBA may well take out the international feel of the game.