A source told TFP on Saturday that a good chunk of the NHL's main sponsors can request a form of compensation from the League if 25 per cent of regular-season games are lost. To avoid such conflict, the NHL would need a 62 game schedule, at least. That might be difficult to accomplish if the season were to begin in mid-to-late December.
Some members of the Blue Jackets seem torn on the issue. The All-Star Game would bring Columbus its first major NHL event since they hosted the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
"Personally, I think the city and the fans here deserve better," Blue Jackets defenseman Adrian Aucoin told the Dispatch. "It's the fans' game, and it wouldn't really be fair to play it under these circumstances."
Winger Derek Dorsett, however, feels differently.
"To have the entire league down here in the Arena District would be a blast," he told the paper.
If the NHL cancels the 2013 All-Star Game, Columbus likely wouldn't host the event until 2015, as next season's festivities could be pushed off due to the Winter Olympics.
