ACLEVERNAME
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2010
- 6,865
- 5,554
Since time immemorial, the NHL Lockout of 2004-05 has been used as the benchmark of the 'modern' game of hockey. Every stat, play, achievement or blunder has almost always been referenced within the period of "since the lockout." Between rule changes, equipment innovations, and technological feats; the NHL as a whole became a completely new entity within itself. It was a hard line driven in the sand between the 'old' or 'classic' game of the 80's and 90's and what we now know and enjoy today.
That being said, I now wonder if we have already passed the threshold of a 'new era' of the game and are still a bit blind to it? More and more I see "since Covid" being used as a time-frame in discussions/debates. Then you get to thinking just how much the League and game as whole has changed since 'The Bubble' and subsequent 'Covid Year' - I'd have to say it's at least equal if not greater than the impact of the Lockout year.
So what do we think? 5-10 years from now will we still be referencing the 'Lockout Year' when speaking of the modern game or have we entered the new 'Post- Covid' era of the NHL?
That being said, I now wonder if we have already passed the threshold of a 'new era' of the game and are still a bit blind to it? More and more I see "since Covid" being used as a time-frame in discussions/debates. Then you get to thinking just how much the League and game as whole has changed since 'The Bubble' and subsequent 'Covid Year' - I'd have to say it's at least equal if not greater than the impact of the Lockout year.
So what do we think? 5-10 years from now will we still be referencing the 'Lockout Year' when speaking of the modern game or have we entered the new 'Post- Covid' era of the NHL?