Can't say I was impressed with the NHL leading up to the lock out.
I'm lucky where I am at: more hockey than I know what to do with. I have been more interested in the AHL (Toronto Marlies) .
I have a soft spot forever for the Toronto Maple Leafs; and I was really happy when Winnipeg got its team back (screw you Bettman: you got that one VERY WRONG ... didn't you?). Yes, it was superb to see the Winnipeg Jets back where they belong: WINNIPEG!
Sad to know that the legends of hockey didn't get paid very much. You can understand why Tim Horton, started up his own coffee chain. He even had 'Grampy Bower' (Johnny Bower) and a few other hockey greats from back in the day, help serve coffee and donuts during their early start-up enterprise. Hockey players back then, didn't get much.
Decades later: multi-millionaires. Too bad some of that excess wouldn't go back to perhaps, elevate the legends' pensions and benefits.
I'm still feeling left out in the cold with the NHL at the moment. Thankfully, I have the AHL and OHL leagues here where I'm at here in Southern Ontario. Don't forget Womens Hockey either!