An NHL deal must get done before New Years and Week 14 Review

Today, the NHL and NHLPA met with federal mediators in New Jersey in their latest round of "negotiations" to end the dumbest work stoppage in the history of mankind.

Did anyone really have any hope anything would get done?

This blogger certainly didn't.

Alas, no progress was made and as of this moment, no future talks are planned.

Last week we all thought we were close. It seemed the only major hurdle remaining to clear was the issue of contract lenghts, along with the length of the new collective bargaining agreement itself. But of course, ego got in the way of returning the greatest game in the world to its rightful place: the ice.

The egos of commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr have now destroyed the NHL beyond repair. This childish, asinine quest for money has already killed half the 2012-13 season, along with the All-Star game, and most importantly, the Winter Classic.

And the worst part is they don't care. I already dedicated a blog post to how the NHL could care less about its image. Here I am reiterating it.

The 1995 lockout ended January 11, and the league was able to salvage a 48 game season. If an agreement is somehow reached, a similar schedule seems logical. But time is running out quickly.

The 2005 lockout canceled the season in mid-February. I don't believe a drop-dead date goes that far this time. Mid-January seems like the most likely time.

As long as the two sides continue to talk, no matter how much vitriol is exchanged back and forth, a deal will get done very soon.

But as long as Bettman and Fehr's egos dominate talks, it won't happen. Sad but true.

Good job, men. You've killed the NHL.


Now, on to five things:

1. The Texans will learn from this drubbing in Foxboro. But they'd better learn quickly, or they won't win a Super Bowl this year.

2. The Falcons were finally exposed. Let the doubters reign!

3. The Seahawks did NOT run up the score against the Cardinals. Arizona is just that inept.

4. Kudos to the Cowboys for saving their season in Cincinnati after an emotional week. But they still don't make the playoffs, especially without Dez Bryant.

5. I'm as big a Mike Tomlin supporter as anything. But Mike, you have a lot of 'splainin to do for why your team doesn't show up to play against the NFL's worst.

Yep, another rematch: New England vs NY Giants

Top 5
1. New England
2. Houston
3. Denver
4. Atlanta
5. San Francisco

Bottom 5
32. Jacksonville
31. Kansas City
30. Oakland
29. Arizona
28. Philadelphia