Five For Howling, a Phoenix Coyotes community

Fans of the National Hockey League received what they have come to expect over the course of the past few months on Thursday night...bitter disappointment.

2012 NHL Lockout: Player/owners meeting will include Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik

"The Instigator", Jonathon Gatehouse's book about Gary Bettman's time as NHL commissioner, is a timely read for NHL fans.

If the 2012 NHL lockout were to end, as a growing optimistic sentiment suggests, the Lightning may already have its opening-night roster with nary a call-up.

Representatives of the NHL and NHLPA continue talking late into the night on Saturday.

The 2012 NHL lockout drones on but there are stories to behold: Krys Barch speaks from the heart; Daryl Katz apologizes for blackmailing Edmonton; lockout or no, some players on the Lightning are still getting paid.

The rookie camp in Coral Springs, which the Tampa Bay Lightning were set to participate in, becomes a casualty of NHL labor uncertainty.

Procrastination, posturing and propoganda will not solve what owners and the Players Association will discuss during forthcoming labor negotiations.