NHL lockout a 'danger' to the league, according to Stephen Harper

   Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks to TVA during a year-end interview at Rideau Hall December 18, 2012 in Ottawa. (ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY)


OTTAWA  - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the NHL lockout is placing the league in "danger."
"For the NHL, this is a dangerous situation," he said in an interview Tuesday with TVA's Pierre Bruneau. "It's sad to see the relationship so broken."

Harper said at the end of the day, the NHL is a business and repeat lockouts will only alienate fans.
The prime minister, who's an avid hockey fan, called the ongoing lockout "very sad" but said he's accepted the situation over the past few weeks.

Harper has instead turned his attention to the upcoming Junior World Championship, starting next week in Ufa, Russia.

The 2012-2013 NHL lockout is moving closer to its fourth month, and talks between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) appear to have faltered.

Last Sunday, the NHLPA membership began voting on whether to proceed with a legal manoeuvre that would open the door for the players to file antitrust suits against the league.

Poll

Was Harper too wishy-washy?

• 38%
• Yes, Obama has been sterner.

• 26 votes
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• 62%
• No, he sees both sides of the fight.

• 43 votes
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