A National Hockey League lockout would obviously have a trickle-down effect onto the Western Hockey League, where some of the rich teams will only get richer.
The Medicine Hat Tigers, for one, could benefit greatly from goal-scorer Emerson Etem and goaltender Tyler Bunz returning to junior rather than beginning what were expected to be solid pro careers.
The same goes for the Edmonton Oil Kings, who would prosper with defenceman Mark Pysyk's return or Sven Bartschi vaulting back to the Portland Winterhawks.
"Around the league, what it does is it fundamentally changes what teams are preparing for if that eventuality happens," said Victoria Royals general manager Cam Hope. "That's if they have a player like that, one who may or may not be returned - a bubble guy in the NHL."
Hope is in no such position with just two players - Steven Hodges (third round, Florida) and Logan Nelson (fifth round, Buffalo) - drafted this past summer. But he is very familiar with how a lockout would effect the junior league.
"We have a little bit of a template because we went through it once before and I was on the other side, the NHL side," said the former New York Rangers' executive. "I don't think there's much of a likelihood that there will be a direct effect on us."
Aside from the potential of having to face stronger clubs. But that, too, is not a guarantee as NHL clubs await an outcome.
"It's a two-fold situation," said Royals' head coach Dave Lowry, who played 20 seasons in the NHL and spent the past three years as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames.
"Obviously, if there is a stoppage there's going to be a flood on the market of 20-year-olds [able to return]. But a lot of organizations are looking at what's best for their kids, development wise.
"You can see a lot of teams haven't committed to veteran American Hockey League guys because they're waiting to see," added Lowry. "Moving forward, they want to put their kids and their prospects in places where it's best for their development.
"If they feel that they're not ready to play in the AHL, then they'll probably go back to their respective junior teams. If they're American League ready then it wouldn't make sense to put them back in junior because of the lockout."
But what is known is players like Hodges and Nelson will miss out on an important part of their development if NHL camps are quashed because of a lockout.
"There are a lot of players who want to go to NHL camps, including guys we have, who won't have that opportunity and that's too bad for them because, at this age, it's a good experience," said Hope.
"I think the guys who do go and come back to junior have a real leg up in terms of their preparation. Being in limbo is difficult for them, but we're prepared for it."
Just like they might have to prepare for stronger opposition.
"That's always the case," said Hope. "If a guy comes back that you're not expecting and he's a superior player in the league, that makes it tough on the rest of us."
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