Finally, Sweden has something more than a bikini team...

As I post this, the NHL lockout has been in effect for 55 days; 13 hours; 29 minutes; and 55 seconds. That's almost 2 months of agony for anyone who is a die-hard NHL fan (sorry Canada). But across the pond, in the land of "Sveden," things couldn't seem any better...

"With no end in sight for the NHL's labour impasse, more than 55 players have already committed to Swedish Elite League teams and more are expected to follow."

More than 250 other NHL players have committed to other European leagues; however, its drawn criticism from people claiming that NHLers are stealing jobs.

Not Sweden though.

Those "dirty Swedes" (I had to do that in honor of the late John Candy and that awful sailing race movie he made) are excited as can be. They believe the NHL stars will bring new life to the league, and new revenue to the country. People believe that the SEL is much deeper now with the influx of new players coming from the dormant NHL. Hockey arenas are filling up and ticket prices are soaring. Yet the fans don't care, because they know this will be "the season that will never come again."