It's Crystal Ball Week in the NHL

The future of the National Hockey League is on the agenda this week, though major breakthroughs or decisions hardly seem likely at this point.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association meet Monday to resume talks on a new collective bargaining agreement. Considering the deteriorating relationship between the two sides, no one expects much progress. Some players already assume replacement workers will take their jobs next season.

On Thursday, NHL general managers meet to discuss possible changes to the game, with all kinds of loopy ideas under consideration. The one getting all the attention, and the one least likely to gain approval, is a proposal to enlarge the nets. You can imagine what the goalies think of that one.