The Rangers and Flyers got to play an outdoor game. Red Wings and Leafs have to wait another year to do so. (Photo: joevare/flickr)

Breaking News! Breaking News! The league cancelled the Winter Classic!

Oh you knew that was coming? Yeah so did the rest of us. I guess I can apologize on behalf of those in the northeast who caused this “announcement” to be delayed all week. (It was scheduled for Monday and then Hurricane Sandy hit.) Either way, to me this really isn’t news.

So where do we go from here? Well actually I think this brings some good news.

First off, we don’t need to speculate who will have the next Winter Classic (whenever it may be as I assume the two sides will finally get a CBA done at some point) as it will be Detroit vs. Toronto in Detroit.

Second, we don’t have to listen to both sides try to use this as P/R or a scare tactic to get the other side to agree to their ridiculous demands. I ignored all of it but felt bad for all the NHL writers who continued to have to write about it.

It also means we are probably closer to the NHL cancelling the whole season. Why is this good news? I don’t know about you but I would rather that happen then this cat and mouse game we’ve been stuck with the past two months. (Side note: I still think there will be a season. No I can’t explain why. Yes I realize I am delusional but I have this gut feeling this leads to the two sides finally negotiating.)

But there still is bad news and it’s news both sides should be worried about. Here’s the thing – everyone feels the same way as I do about this news. They don’t give a damn. Fans have stopped caring. Yes they will come back whenever the two sides get their act together but it won’t be the same dedication. The die-hearts will be at games and watching on TV. But if they miss a game? Eh, no big deal. I know the two sides aren’t listening to what the fans say but maybe they should take notice of fans like this:

For those who don’t know, Down Goes Brown is the guy who gives us those hilarious videos which spoof everything that goes on in the league. They are guys who have been hockey fans for decades.

And it’s tweets like that which confirm everyone’s suspicion – there will be less of the money they are fighting over whenever this does finally end. Unfortunately that is the one thing the two sides agree upon as they both insist this isn’t important.