The owners could have easily kept the old contract in place while they negotiated a new settlement . They would rather hold the fans hostage and use that leverage for their greedy self interests

When are people going to realize that the fans aren't a part of this at all? The negoitations are between the NHLPA and the NHL. It's a profession that we as fans choose to watch, and if they are having CBA issues it sucks, but it's not about us at all. They don't really care what we fans think and don't really need to. They may lose a few fans after all is said and done but the majority of those fans who are currently acting all mighty with their talks of protest and not coming back to the NHL will be right back to watching and attending games again.