Thing is, as soon as this whole thing is over everybody on these boards is going to go back to watching NHL hockey. Ok, I shouldn't speak for everybody here, but I'm sure 98% will go back to watching (don't quote me on that, Tie).
Pro-NHLPA guys will go back to supporting their teams and thus putting money into the owners' pockets, and pro-NHL guys will go back to rooting for the players, putting money in their pockets and idolizing them once again. As long as I can see competitive hockey at a decent price, I'm happy. If one side can make that happen, it's gravy. Correction: As long as the Habs win the Cup, I'm happy. Nothing's gonna change that because of some idiotic lockout. People are acting as if it's a shocking revelation that the owners and players are only after... *gasp* Money! Been that way for years, and I was a fan then too.
The problem is in the "casual fans" (if they even existed in the first place) not coming back. So while us NHL-followers will carry some grudge, either our feelings will die down over time or the people who they are directed at will be long gone in a few years. The casual fans, on the other hand, could care less.