.... ah, actually Chuck; no. Logically what this suggests is that for a variety of reasons not least of which is cost to attend a game & so on & so on..... the game is no longer accessible & therefore as relevant to all levels of society... not that the NHL ever really was beyond the old Rust Belt & Canada. Minor Pro, the old Western League, PCHA, PHL, AHL, IHL, Can Am & others that have come & gone, others still thriving.
However sure, I'm all for growth, applauded, liked all of the Expansions since 67/68 (though not the way they did it & the speed with which they did it. Seriously handicapping the incoming teams by way of Drafts etc. Fixed somewhat with Vegas though $500M a Hell of a hit. Sky high over-priced let alone $650M. But hey; its biz & if they can get it. Honestly, dont really have a problem with Gary Bettman, Prickly Pair however he's just the Commissioner, does the bidding of the BOG's, when hired mandated with 3 tasks;
1) Bring in Cost Certainty (CAP - Check)
2) Oversee preexisting Expansion plans (Check)
3) Grow Central Revenues, Secure a lucrative Broadcast Contract (Check... though work still to be done)
He's done a great job. Of the Big 4 by far the best Commissioner IMO. Dont like the way he's handled any number of issues & files but ok. His jobs pretty tough. Like Herding Cats & damned no matter what he does. Yet he smiles through it all, totally dedicated. Smart as a whip. But there are problems here, problems with growth, problems with a wide range of issues and no, this isnt a "disinformation" thread, Board. Just a lot of interested & concerned people who have questions, who like to talk things out, fascinated by the BOH & Sport.