I was surprised when I saw a Dallas home game on TV last season and saw all of the empty seats. I hadn't realized just how much that franchise had declined but they are in trouble.
I agree that this lockout will hurt the NHL in the U.S. and especially in the sun belt. It will have zero effect in Canada as the fans will fill most arenas (with the possible exception of Ottawa) as soon as the lockout ends. The NHL knows that they could shut the league down for years in Canada and the fans would forgive and forget.
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