The Puck Stops Here

Today marks the relaunch of the NHL. The NHL Board of Governors unanimously passed the CBA (and why shouldn't they they dictated its terms). TSN's story on this is here. They announced many new rules which range from the common sense (reducing the size of goalie equipment) to cheap gimmickry (shootouts). TSN's story on this is here. Finally, the draft lottery results were announced. The results are here:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
3. Carolina Hurricanes
4. Minnesota Wild
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
7. Chicago Blackhawks
8. Atlanta Thrashers
9. Ottawa Senators
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Los Angeles Kings
12. San Jose Sharks
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Washington Capitals
15. N.Y. Islanders
16. N.Y. Rangers
17. Phoenix Coyotes
18. Nashville Predators
19. Detroit Red Wings
20. Philadelphia Flyers
21. Toronto Maple Leafs
22. Boston Bruins
23. New Jersey Devils
24. St. Louis Blues
25. Edmonton Oilers
26. Calgary Flames
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Dallas Stars
29. Florida Panthers
30. Tampa Bay Lightning

So Pittsburgh gets first pick. They will have the first seven years of Sidney Crosby's career according to our new CBA. Time will tell who will buy the rest of it including the prime years of his career. The TSN story on the draft lottery is here.

The important question is will the NHL be any better for this relaunch? Will it be worse? Will it be worth all the problems created in a lost season? I am skeptical.