HNIC Radio: Ted Lindsay disappointed by NHL lockout

Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay, who helped start the NHL Players' Association back in the 1950s, appeared on Hockey Night in Canada Radio to express his displeasure over the ongoing NHL lockout.

The Detroit Red Wings legend joined host Gord Stellick and HNIC host Ron MacLean on Friday.

"I'm an awful lot of disappointed," Lindsay said. "I always believed in our day it was in the contract that you had to promote hockey. That was the responsibility of us as players."

The man once known as "Terrible Ted" is most concerned about the longtime hockey fan and if the latest work stoppage will prevent them from coming back to the game.

"I'm talking [about] good hockey fans that are season ticket holders maybe getting into their 70s, 75 and paying maybe $15,000 [or] $20,000 for season tickets," he said. "They start to think 'maybe I don't need this aggravation. Maybe I should spend an extra five weeks, six weeks in Florida.' So I would like to see a survey after this is all settled of how much damage it has done to the season ticket holders."

When asked about the differences between the current process and when he was helping to build the PA, Lindsay said he believes it's the involvement of lawyers and communication between players.

"You were raised in an organization," he said. "You were raised with that sweater on your chest even as a youngster … We as players, because of being trained that way, we didn't speak to each other.

"We'd walk down College street to the Gardens [for practice]. If a Toronto player came out of the building, Maple Leaf Gardens, he saw us. Either he'd cross the street or we'd cross the street because we didn't want to recognize each other.

Lindsay added with emphasis: "It was a wonderful way to play hockey because you were geared to play when they dropped the puck."

Despite the negativity surrounding labour negotiations Friday, Lindsay remains cautiously optimistic.

"Hopefully we can see some hockey games."