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Caps’ Chimera: “It would seem pretty dumb to have a lockout now”

Washington Capitals v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 5: Jason Chimera #25 of the Washington Capitals warms up prior to the game against the Florida Panthers on December 5, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 5-4. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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Count Washington Capitals forward Jason Chimera among those thinking another NHL labor stoppage would be foolish.

“You look at the revenue that the league has made,” Chimera told the Edmonton Sun. “It would seem pretty dumb to have a lockout now.”

Chimera isn’t one of the 31 players comprising the NHLPA’s negotiating committee, but was in New York for one of the earlier CBA meetings. He’s also a veteran of the lockout scene, having survived the lost season of 2004-05 (Chimera, then a member of the Edmonton Oilers, played with Italy’s Varese HC.)

“I think things are different this time around,” he said. “The lines of communication are definitely open. I was in New York for one of the meetings and it was pretty cordial.

“Everyone was talking about things and no one was up in arms and saying things like, ‘I’m not talking to you again until you propose this,’ which is good. They’re talking about the little things too, which means when it all comes into place that it’ll happen a little bit quicker.”

Chimera, 32, is probably as keen as anyone to get back playing. He scored 20 goals in 2011-12 -- the highest total of his 11-year career -- and will begin the first of his two-year, $3.5 million extension next season.