NHL R.I.P.
It's official. Gary Bettman announced today there will be no 2004-05 NHL season, making the NHL the first major North American pro sports league to cancel an entire season. If and when hockey returns, it won't be a major sport anymore. Not south of Detroit, anyway.
Of course, some of us will come back. I'm already thinking about how 19-year-old Alexander Ovechkin will be ready to lead a Washington Capitals renaissance by next season. I will hate myself for watching, though, if the NHL still has a TV deal when it returns.
Comments (2)
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Capitals renaissance?
In order to have a rebirth, doesn't something have to have once been alive?
I'll miss the NHL just because it gives me frequent opportunities to hassle Carlton about his choking dog Caps.
Posted on February 16, 2005 10:58 PM
Funny guy.
When I was sitting five rows behind the glass at the MCI Center in June '98, I sure thought it was the Stanley Cup Finals. Wonder why all those Red Wings were skating around with a big trophy at the end of the night.
But, yes, the Caps have had a history of building 3-1 playoff leads only to blow them. But they were good enough to make the playoffs and frustrate us inside-the-beltway types every year. There is nothing so cool as playoff hockey, even when yours is a choking-dog team like mine.
Good luck to your Thrashers next year, Jim. Or the year after. Or will they fold?
Posted on February 16, 2005 11:16 PM