For my hockey friends on the board

[Guest Jonesy Bull]

1 hour ago, NewEnglandBull said:

Revenues rise each year. Up to $4.6 billion last year. 

Rules that have increased offensive production

2013 CBA

3 on 3 over time

NBC tv contract 

Putting franchise is Winnipeg and Vegas

Created a department of player safety (much more proactive in dealing with concussions than the NFL).

Fighting almost disappears (I know a lot of people may not like that but it must be done relative to today’s society/culture).

Games can be purchased digitally on a variety of platforms.

More parity in the league. Not too many playoffs around where the last team in knocks off the number one team. Each year the playoffs have upsets.

Legalized sports wagering (they were ahead of the NFL and NBA).

Is he a perfect commissioner? No. But he is better than what the NFL has for sure and not as left wing in his decisions as the NBA commish. And if you think Bettman is bad, you should have been around in the 1970s and 1980s. Those do nothing NHL commissioners (Ziegler and Stein) almost ran the league into the ground. 
 

   

I think there is a team expanding to Seattle next year as well.

Side Note - Vinik is going to pay the part time employees even though no games.  Classy!

[Outlaw]

17 hours ago, NewEnglandBull said:

Revenues rise each year. Up to $4.6 billion last year. 

Rules that have increased offensive production

2013 CBA

3 on 3 over time

NBC tv contract 

Putting franchise is Winnipeg and Vegas

Created a department of player safety (much more proactive in dealing with concussions than the NFL).

Fighting almost disappears (I know a lot of people may not like that but it must be done relative to today’s society/culture).

Games can be purchased digitally on a variety of platforms.

More parity in the league. Not too many playoffs around where the last team in knocks off the number one team. Each year the playoffs have upsets.

Legalized sports wagering (they were ahead of the NFL and NBA).

Is he a perfect commissioner? No. But he is better than what the NFL has for sure and not as left wing in his decisions as the NBA commish. And if you think Bettman is bad, you should have been around in the 1970s and 1980s. Those do nothing NHL commissioners (Ziegler and Stein) almost ran the league into the ground. 
 

   

Fighting is how the players police themselves when refs can't .  fighting should never leave the game.

[NewEnglandBull]

11 minutes ago, TheGreatOutlaw said:

Fighting is how the players police themselves when refs can't .  fighting should never leave the game.

It will never leave the game. But in prior years it went beyond policing. 

[Triple B]

1 hour ago, NewEnglandBull said:

It will never leave the game. But in prior years it went beyond policing. 

Agree completely. It's such a great sport and at times the goonery got in the way but I think it's a great blend now.