Shortened season could cancel All-Star game

A potential lockout or delayed start to the NHL season would certainly cancel a number of the league's scheduled games, and perhaps even cost fans a chance to watch hockey's best play together on one stage.

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch (via ProHockeyTalk) reports that if too much of the regular season is cut out due to a possible lockout, the All-Star game would be one of the first significant events cancelled.

"One of the first major casualties of another NHL lockout could be the All-Star Game, which the Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena are set to play host to on Jan. 27," Portzline wrote.

"If the lockout extends even a month into the season, it could scuttle one of the biggest sporting events ever planned for central Ohio."

The last time an NHL All-Star game was scratched was in 2004-05, when there was no season. Atlanta, where the All-Star Game was to be held that year, hosted the weekend event in 2008, making up for their missed opportunity.

The NHL will have plenty of time to make a decision on the status of the Winter Classic, however, which is set for Jan. 1. The league has up until the day of the game to cancel its annual New Year's showcase.