Any other year you would know that so and so will be in the show or that so and so will be going to the American Hockey League. The problem is now that there aren't any spots available for the up and comers from junior because the younger NHL players have to play AHL so as not to stall their development..

They can't go to Europe because the NHLers from North America and Europe have already taken most of the spots there. So what does that leave? Overage junior,which will be of great benefit to the teams but almost no benefit to the players. Do you think Jeff Carter or Mike Richards would benefit from another year of junior? Not a chance. In fact,they would probably get worse and develop bad habits on the ice.

What about the prospects? Sidney Crosby would be absolutely bored with another year of junior. Draft eligible stars like Gilbert Brule,Bobby Ryan,Ben Pouliot and Alex Bourret would be in limbo not having a clue where their hockey careers would be going since there would be no draft. As well,these are guys who,even if they didn't make their pro team,would benefit huge from a professional training camp. As it stands now,they will get better but if the lockout extended for another year,they would have to deal with another draft class,wouldn't get the pro camp experience they need and everyones draft positions would be hurt later on.

I guess my point here is that four people from the NHL/NHLPA are playing with several peoples lives,not just the junior players. They guys need somewhere to shoot for and progress to.Think of the players coming up who will be the future of the league and get a deal done before they have nowhere else to play.