Looks like we’re going to have an NHL hockey season — but I suspect that the lockout/strike that cancelled the last one will prove to be the most devastating we’ve seen in professional sports. Baseball, basketball, and football eventually recovered from their problems. Hockey, whose appeal is basically regional, faces a tougher comeback. Fans who don’t buy premium cable packages are going to have a hard time finding games they want to watch on television. The league won’t receive the kind of attention SportsCenter and other outlets once gave it. There may be some rule changes to create more scoring, and that’s probably a good idea. But if it hasn’t already happened, the day will soon come when soccer is considered our country’s fourth major professional sport.

Meanwhile, go Red Wings!