Crisis in Canada.

[Betonov]

What does it actually mean, locked out players

[soopaman2]

Originally Posted by Betonov

What does it actually mean, locked out players

It is the step before a strike/work stoppage in this case.

The origins of the term, Locked out refers to early union busting days when they would hire scabs (replacement workers) and lock out the picketing workers from the factories. The term stuck, though scabs in Hockey would be unwatchable. So instead they hold the fan hostage in an attempt to sway public opinion one way or the other.

The lock out is the owners way of telling the players to fornicate with themselves.