So the lockout is over, the question for NHL fans is when will opening day finally take place? Well for now, just be glad that there's no lockout because the schedules for this 2013 season's opening have yet to be drawn out.
One thing we do know regarding the schedule is that the NHL's new season will be between 48-50 games. So hockey fans can wear their fresh gear to a couple of games. Take out those hats and jerseys and start freshening them up.
On Tuesday, an understanding will be drawn out. So hockey could start within the next 10 days.
The agreement was reached on Sunday after 113 days of inactivity in the sport. They only had five more days before the deadline and, luckily, they were able to work a deal out.
"We have reached an agreement on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement, the details of which need to be put to paper," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We've got to dot a lot of Is, cross a lot of Ts. There's still a lot of work to be done, but the basic framework of the deal has been agreed upon."
So what could this mean for the NHL and the Stanley Cup Finals? Maybe a team gets red hot early and surprise the world. The Los Angeles Kings won a Stanley Cup so who's to say the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers or Vancouver Canucks can't end their drought?
Last season, in 2011 the Miami Heat were crowned after many thought LeBron James would never see the day. Which NHL superstar can take their team all the way in this upcoming 2013 season.
Well, the schedules have to be released first before we can get into all these predictions.
