Raw Charge, a Tampa Bay Lightning community

With a potentially unpredictable shortened NHL season, we asked Lightning bloggers and Raw Charge staff where they think the Lightning will finish the season in the Eastern Conference.

Continuing a trend of NHL owners addressing fans on Monday, the Tampa Bay Lightning released a statement from team owner Jeff Vinik.

It's a bit of a contradiction that the NHL brand is tarnished, there is a growing sense of apathy toward the league, an

However loyal you are to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the NHL's legal filings could lead to the cancelling of every contract of every player in the league.

They may all seem like bad guys, and it may seem like we're ignoring certain bad guys in the 2012 lockout too. Our question this week is who is the biggest villain of the 2012 NHL lockout?

They are close, they are far apart. The only thing left for NHL clubs to do is be ready - for a resolution or for a continued contemptuous affair.

The grand collapse of negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA dominate news.

Talks collapse and so does the hockey world.

Though Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle and captain Sidney Crosby are getting much praise for progress today with talks between teh NHL and the NHLPA, Tampa Bay officials have been major allies.

A respectful plea for compromise, for reconciliation, and an end to the 2012 NHL lockout.