After a discussion with co-commissioner hockeyfreak47, we have decided it is best to implement a temporary freeze on Franchise NHL activities until the NHL announces a resolution to the dispute and identifies a new start date for the 2012-13 NHL season.
This means no free agent add/drops, no contract submissions/extensions, no trades, etc.
jan7-13: revised title for clarity and archival purposes to note Trans. Freeze due to 2012-13 Lock-out.