Dear Fantasy Hockey Fans:

This is an open letter for you quite simply. It has been a very tough summer and with the advent of the NHL Lockout, the nightmare has only worsened. Preseason games are being axed with reckless abandon and soon, regular season games could meet the same fate putting many fantasy hockey fans in a state of disarray. This has been tough on fans, workers, and businesses.

However we do have some good news. Fantasy Hockey ONE is not going anywhere. Yes we will have a bit of a modified schedule and feel to the column but it is going to most definitely thrive even during these trying times. This is not just about providing a sense of normalcy but in a sense, a want to do something different as we apply a fantasy twist to the minors and prospect leagues. Thanks to some very creative people, there is already a Fantasy OHL league out there. Soon will come AHL and CHL leagues as well. With the advent of daily leagues, a "Fantasy KHL" league may also be possible. The sky is the limit here.

This is not going to be an easy endeavor but rest assured our goal is simple...to provide different ways and avenues of fantasy hockey for the hockey fan. If the NHL should come back a little sooner then we will be ready to resume the column full time. However, we will not turn our backs on the minors and prospects. This is a commitment that is going to become a promise to all of our readers. Thanks to so many for helping us in the last 5+ years and now it is time to take the next steps necessary combined with THW Live to give you the best information possible. 

It is only the beginning. For some of us this is the fight of our lives and for others there is no possible retreat. Hopefully these steps going forward teach us a lesson that we can pass on to each and every reader. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program / Host of THW Live 

The Hockey Program mailbag session continues with another question sent by Captain Spaulding (@midtnweather) via Twitter. 

Spaulding asks, "Is there any chance of a lockout being cancelled?".
Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League.

Yes there is a chance that the NHL lockout can be lifted. Right now, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire this Saturday, September 15. If the NHL and the Players' Association don't agree to a new CBA by that date at 11:59 PM ET, there will be a lockout.

However, the NHL and NHLPA do have plenty of time to get a new CBA. The 2012-13 NHL regular season doesn't start until October 11, which is the date the NHLPA feels that the deadline to get a new deal done is. Of course that pains the fans, writers and even myself, but as long as there is hockey, everyone should all be happy.

Another deadline which could be made is Thanksgiving Day. That day in which we should all be thankful for family could turn into hatred and wanting to cry. If there is a new CBA agreed upon around that time, expect the season to be shortened from 82 games to just 72. On the contrary, of there isn't a deal in place by then, expect no hockey for the entire season.

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The first and only thing that can be asked is to always remember and never forget. September 11th, 2001 will be forever etched into our memories like the day JFK was killed or when the Challenger exploded. Anyone that was alive pretty much remember where they were and what they were doing. There was so much more lost than even the thousands of lives lost that day. Not only were families foever broken but a nation, at least for a little while, was definitely rattled. It was not an easy time at all.

The coming days brought however, a resolve. It was a resolve and unity that had not been seen in some time. Though it would not bring back what was lost or the people that would eventually pass away, it did help at least a little. The world changed that day and it changed forever. The hockey world lost Ace Bailey, who was one hell of a bright mind on and off the ice. It just went to show how no matter if it was life or sport, things changed permanently.

Inevitably tomorrow is going to be a very somber day on this 11th anniversary, as it should always be but in some way, there is always a hope. That hope lies in the fact that a resolve burns bright in all of us. Just imagine f that resolve spilled over into more "trivial matters' like say the CBA. In some ways, maybe September 11th is a perfect time to show these millionaires and billionaires what really matters and that is life.

In the end, it probably will not make much of a diference as the battle lines are drawn and the posturing just seems to indicate the lockout is near. At the very least, maybe hockey fans see something good come out of this week even if its not in time to save the start of the season. If this country can come back from one of its most horrific moments, then the NHL and NHLPA surely at least can start talking again. After all, life and death is so much more final than livelihood when one really thinks about it. Maybe it is asking too much and but more than likely it probably is. Hey it is worth a shot.

Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

Its time for a Shane Doan edition of the Videos Before Bedtime. Informally, we talked about it and it seemed like a great idea. Doan has agreed to a deal pending Greg Jamison finally getting the keys to the castle so to speak.

Have a great night everyone!

No, this post isn't talking about right wing or left wing politics during the 2012 Presidential Election season. But rather this post is focusing on the right and left wingers in the NHL for fantasy hockey.

The 'Fantasy Hockey Previews' of the goalies, defensemen and centers have already been written and posted so check those out by clicking on the highlighted word. This will be the last 'Fantasy Preview' for a while.

James Neal of the Pittsburgh Penguins ranks number one in Wingers.