It's been just six years since the NHL canceled their entire season following the 2004 NHL Lockout. With that in mind, the league and the NHLPA will begin negotiations on a new labor deal early in the new year.
When they do, the NHLPA will have the NHL's calculation of hockey-related revenue in mind, since it's something they think is being miscalculated.
The miscalculation of hockey-related revenue could end up causing delays in return of millions in escrow to players and could lead to an arbitration if the issue isn't remedied to the player's liking.
It could also mean there's a lot more money out there that the players deserve but the league is pocketing.
In other words, if you're looking for an issue to kick-off negotiations in 2012, you've just found it. NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr (yes, THAT Donald Fehr) is expected to start making noise on this and many other issues starting...now.
For more news on the NHL labor discussions, keep an eye on this stream.