It was only a matter of time until the NHL announced the cancellation of the All-Star Game, which was scheduled to take place on January 27, 2013 in Columbus. That time was late last week as the NHL announced another round of cancellations, including the All-Star Game. The cancellations now run through December 14. A federal mediator has been called to action to try and lead the league and the players’ association to a resolution in hopes that part of the season can be salvaged.
Before fans get too excited, it’s important to note a couple of things about federal mediation, as it pertains to the NHL. First off, whatever agreement both sides come to as a result of the talks is not binding. The purpose of mediation is to use experts to try and close the gap and get both parties moving in the right direction. Second, which elaborates the previous point, the league and the players’ association tried mediation proceedings during the 2004-05 lockout. Nothing came of it and the league announced the cancellation of the season shortly thereafter. One caveat is that those mediation proceedings did not take place until February, when the season was in extremely dire straits to begin with.
Ever since LeBron James blessed us with his absence two years ago, The Cleveland Fan has been trying its best to assess the next wave of "Who's Who in Cleveland Sports." The hunt for these new heroes has not always been a fruitful one, of course. And as we'll see in this edition of the Power Rankings, the current Top 25 is perhaps notable more for who isn't there any longer, rather than who is. Recently, a sea change for the Cleveland Indians has brought about the mass exodus of some longtime Power Rankings staples, including former Top 5 players Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, and Roberto "Fausto" Hernandez. If you believe the rumors, more popular Tribesmen may soon be joining them in the past tense before the hot stove has cooled. So, in all this turnover, who is stepping up to claim the open slots in the rankings? With the Browns and Cavs both among the youngest teams in their respective leagues, which kiddos are earning their keep? 
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, which is a uniquely American holiday to celebrate the excess of life that being American has afforded us. Being we are blessed in a land of freedom and plentiful resources, we take a day to be thankful for such and eat 10,000 calories, or the equivalent of a full month’s worth of nourishment in a third world country, in a single meal. And why the fuck not, right? We’ve worked hard as a nation to make our country awesome, so let’s be gluttonous for a day in celebration of said fact. Put aside decorum and diets, today is the day to do the Icky Shuffle in the face of impoverished nations everywhere. We’re going for two with a huge lead, only because we can’t go for three.
Unfortunately, even with the NHL still in lockout mode, the Blue Jackets can’t avoid bad news and bad luck. Coupled with the fact that the 2013 NHL All-Star Game, which the city of Columbus was scheduled to host, will likely be canceled very soon with the next round of game cancellations, the Blue Jackets top prospect, Ryan Murray, separated his shoulder while playing for Everett of the Western Hockey League and could be out for the remainder of the season.
Earlier this week, in a display of sportsmanship unseen since third grade, tens of thousands of people upset that Barack Obama was re-elected petitioned to have their states leave the union. 81,000 signatures were in my home state of Texas, which has a legitimate shot of actually seceding, with the odds of secession similar to those of a Pat Shurmur-coached team winning three games in a row. Should secession occur, some people suggest Chuck Norris would become the president of the new independent republic, but I have a better suggestion, one which would provide real hope and change we can all believe in: Lars Hancock for King of Texas.