CBC prepares for potential hockey deal

Are you ready for some hockey, eh?

The hot rumor around the sports scene is that the National Hockey League and its players association are close to a labor deal that would save part of the 2012-2013 hockey, albeit in an abbreviated form. The deal will likely lead to a 48 or 52 game season.

Canada's CBC network is ready to get back to work. A representative for the network says that the channel can rapidly gather its 'Hockey Night in Canada' broadcast team if a deal is reached and the flagship series of the CBC is needed in short order.

The channel has been dealing with a huge hole in its schedule with the NHL work stoppage, as it airs a double-header on Saturday nights. The loss of this revenue has hurt viewership and advertising in a big way.

Do not start buying tickets or preparing time to watch games yet. The two sides are meeting right now, as the drop-dead date for cancelling the entire season draws nearer.

“The fact that we're involved in a continuous process is something that I'm glad to see, but we’re clearly not done yet," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Are you ready to get back on the ice? Or do you not really miss the game?