A Must Read for All Hockey Fans...

'Twas the night before Christmas and there was no NHL

For the fans of the sport, it was a real living hell

The owners and players were in fight to the finish

Unfazed, it seemed, watching their product's value diminish

It was a long time in coming, this full meltdown on ice

But no surprise at all, neither side ever plays nice

All along the warring parties had only themselves in mind

Making a fair solution impossible to find

So arenas remained dark, the league's future in doubt

As billionaires and millionaires stood firm, battling for clout

They were given ideas, yet not one did they heed

Of course that's to be expected from those motivated by greed

Clearly management's ineptitude created this mess

Without common sense, or restraint on largesse

Now players are being asked to take away that pain

They may fight it forever, but there's nothing to gain

Nearly half the league's best are overseas in a pack,

Most playing for a pittance, losing career time they won't get back

They say they'll never give in to a salary cap

But if not, they might fall right off the map

The truth is the NHL has so much to change

Even more on the ice than in its salary range

The game must reach out to more fans and to grow

Adding more excitement, would be the best way to go

Offense and flair are what the league now craves

Those kinds of things will earn it raves

A real, true partnership is the road to take

So get with the program Gary and Bob, for everyone's sake

Make a deal that works, and get the season on track

And hope that the fans never look back

Let them have what they've wanted, the game at its best

To see if their favorites can handle the test

Like the Bolts did last year led by Brad and St. Louis

And don't forget Iginla and his upstarts from Calgary

Give the greats of the game what they deserve, a proper goodbye

Guys like Messier and Stevens and of course, Stevie Y

It can't be that hard when everyone shares the same goal

To get the game of hockey on a permanent roll

It's up to both sides now to make the right call

But in the meantime from us, a Merry Christmas to all

Wes Goldstein, CBS Sportsline.com