PensBurgh, a Pittsburgh Penguins community

The NHL will never improve unless another league threatens to take its perch and its players.

A perceived throw-in to the trade that brought the 8th-overall pick (Derrick Pouliot) and Brandon Sutter to Pittsburgh in exchange for Jordan Staal, Brian Dumoulin now finds himself in the thick of Pittsburgh's league-best defensive prospect group.

Russia's Kontinental Hockey League has reached a deal to broadcast games from its 2012-13 on ESPN's digital platform, bringing the KHL to the states. Will it put pressure on the NHL to strike a labor deal?

When there is no hockey to be watched, what should NHL and Pens fans do? Here's a list of ideas to keep you occupied while the owners and NHLPA duke it out.