I figured now would be the best time to write my first FanPost, or it could be the worst.

I was watching the Carolina Panthers preseason game against Houston the other night, and it was ugly. It wasn’t ugly because of the score (HOU 26-CAR 13), it was ugly because of how they lost. The Panthers had the same problems they had last year (sounds familiar, huh), a terrible O-line and an ineffective defense.

This made me think, "What am I going to do if the NHL lockout acutually happens and the Panthers are this terrible."

With the lockout within reach and two sides that can't agree on anything, it is almost certain the NHL season will not start on time. In my honest opinion, Bettman will stretch the impending lockout out so the season starts at the winter classic. This means no hockey until New Year's Day.

So, what do I do till then? It will depend on three things?

1) Are the Carolina Panthers are any good?

2) Can the Atlanta Braves make the playoffs?

3) Can Jeff Gordon make the Chase? (Yes, I'm a NASCAR fan)

Oh, and is too much to ask for the Charlotte Bobcats to not be terrible this year. I also need to get my Playstation fixed so I can at least play digital hockey.

I really hope Bettman doesn't actually go thru with the start in December/January plan like the NBA did last year. I just don't see how the league would hold that up.

There is still a little bit of hope left. NBC keeps advertising the NHL on their networks and the fans like us are getting louder and louder, but in my opinion, if the lockout does happen and takes away even one game, the NHL will be ready to fall apart, which could very well end pro hockey in N America for a while.

I feel sick just thinking about it, so I’m just going to stop.

I would like to close out by saying there are a lot of 'if's and 'in my opinion's in this post/rant, and you can take it anyway you want to. With that being said...

...The question is again: What is your plan B?