Unfortunately, this is going to be the main topic in this space most mornings this winter based on everything we know. For those who don’t follow the business side of the game too much, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and league expires on December 2, and if no deal is completed by that point then the owners will start a lockout, freezing all transactions and potentially costing games if the stalemate lingers. According to a report from the Associated Press on Monday, the lockout is all but certain at this point.
A few points of clarification regarding this news.