Honestly, I never read a whole lot of NHL coverage in the Denver Post. Bits and pieces here and there, I guess. I was familiar with the work of Denver Post Avalanche beat writer, Adrian Dater, but perhaps not as much as I am now that the NHL is locked out - and there's not any hockey to write about.

In the dearth, Dater's been putting himself to use in other ways. I recently commented on an article Dater wrote for the Denver Post's "Lunch Special" section in which he expressed his gratitude toward various personalities within the Denver Sports scene. Dater, whos' reputation is that of an immensely tall curmudgeon, flashed his brilliance in that item in a way that I had not seen before. For today's "Lunch Special" feature, he observed that Denver is a far friendlier place when the Broncos are winning. He describes the difference in a cheeky way: "Whenever I've forgotten to turn off my cellphone ringer in the library of late, patrons have started bobbing their heads to my Justin Bieber ringtone on 10. It's nice to share in a communal moment of goodwill like that."

Without his assigned hockey tasks to keep him occupied, Dater's found fascinating and creative new ways to contribute to his paper. I have rather enjoyed reading "lockout Dater". In a way I feel like I am just now discovering him. He's been in town as long as the Avalanche have, but he has recently been writing on subjects that I find far more captivating. And he seems to be having fun.

Our old friend Ryan Boulding, the blogging mastermind behind Hockey on the Rocksis uber-pissed off at the league he follows so closely. He was good enough to let us re-post his brilliant rant, "How do you lock out the lockout?" It's a good one, you guys.

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Our pal, AJ Niss, AKA @nuggetfan4life was good enough to kick down his thoughts on the end of the NBA lockout and the prospects of your Denver Nuggets.  Major props to our man for offering up his wisdom.

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Carmelo's gone.  He took Chauncey with him.  JR and Kenyon weren't willing to wait.  They're in China.  Wilson Chandler bailed, too.  As they head toward their first game (on the day after Christmas), your Denver Nuggets are selling from an empty shelf.  Almost.

Negotiations between the NBA Players Association and league owners stalled yet again on Friday afternoon.  Billy Hunter and the overpaid hooligans he represents can't accept the idea that the league will not survive without some changes to their collective bargaining agreement.  The players will eventually concede this.  We just hope they don't see the light until after the 2011 season is cancelled.  We need a break.

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Resident Sports Columnist John Reidy weighed in on the NFL lockout's end in his column, Jock Itch, over at the AV Club Denver / Bouder

Read Reidy RIGHT HERE