RALEIGH, N.C. — It has been nine months since the Carolina Hurricanes took the ice. While hometown players like center Kevyn Adams miss the game, there is one plus -- being home.

"I have a newborn and a 3-1/2-year-old. I've been doing things that I usually don't have the opportunity to do, taking my daughter to school and really just being around and seeing every second of everything. It's been an unbelievable experience," he said.

Adams also finds it hard to stay in top shape for a season that may have already hit bottom.

"If the puck is dropped, it's going to be soon and we have to be in tip-top shape because we owe that to the team, the fans, ourselves, everyone," he said.

While players like Adams wait for something to happen, the RBC Center is a lonely place. Even with the lockout, the arena is still paying off for taxpayers. This fiscal year, the Arena Authority will pay out $900,000 to Raleigh and $1.1 million to Wake County.

If negotiations sour, Adams worries about losing next season too.

"Some of the southern market people have to understand that it's not good for anyone. It's not good for the players, not good for the owners and I feel for the fans," he said.

Adams, who is also an union representative, did not join an overseas team like many other NHL players because he wanted to be home for the birth of his daughter, Paulina, who is now 1 month old.

The Players Association and the league are expected to meet Wednesday, but even if they come to an agreement, all regular season games through March 3 are canceled.