For St. Paul, as in many other cities, the NHL lockout will have profound economic effects for the entire area.
These effects will go well beyond players simply not getting paid, as Rochelle Olson points out. For starters, there are local businesses in the vicinity of the Xcel Energy Center -- bars, restaurants, parking -- that will have fewer customers now that the Minnesota Wild's 41 home games are in jeopardy.
As a result, the city of St. Paul can expect less revenue from sales tax. Not to mention, the stadium employs over 500 locals who are currently not getting paid.
Training camp is scheduled to start next week, with the first Wild home game coming on Oct. 13. But no one knows how long the lockout could last.
City officials have estimated that in 2004-2005, the NHL lockout -- which lasted all season -- cost St. Paul $60 million.
For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness. For hockey news from around the league, be sure to visit SB Nation's NHL hub.