Well, day 5 of the NHL Lockout continues, and the NHL has made some radical moves. The NHL announced yesterday that the Preseason schedule through September 30th has been cancelled. In addition, the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville preseason game, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Belleville, Ontario, has been postponed to 2013. This cancellation is in relation to the absence of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which has led to the lockout.
Because of this lockout, many players are beginning to play in other hockey leagues such as the KHL (the Russian Hockey League). Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin signed with Mettalurg along with ex-Penguin Sergei Gonchar. In Evgeni's KHL debut, Evgeni got two assists, including a tying goal to send the game into overtime with seconds left in the third period. Despite losing in overtime, Evgeni went +1 and had two total points.
Other players, such as half of the Edmonton Oilers team, have joined the American Hockey League. Other younger players, such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have joined the Junior Hockey League. This just shows how the professionals are trying to keep in shape while this lockout ensues.
Hopefully within the next week or so we will be back to some NHL action that the world can enjoy! See you next week!
Dan I love being able to follow the Pens and the lockout on your blog. You have great information and make it enjoyable to read. Keep it up
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