Unions, yet again, seem to overstate their worth. I would rank the NHLPA's actions this year as being SLIGHTLY better than the infamous MLB Umpire's Unions disastrous mass resignation plan --- but this is bad. It might well kill the NHL --- it's hard to justify putting them on TV, considering how poor the ratings are compared to almost everything else ESPN airs in its place.
-=Mike
I'll agree with you on the Union point, but I hardly think this will kill the game. Low ratings and revenues now? yes. That, however, is nothing a few changes and excellent marketing can't fix. Would that take a long time? yes. But I can't really see the NHL dying, per se.