As much as I and others complain about the length of the season, there was never any chance the league would consider shortening the season. Aside from that though I like the changes. The state income tax variation/issue will take a long time to address. No team in a non or low income tax state will roll over on having an adjusted salary cap vs the other teams.
The fact that the cba was settled with little delay after the NHL had a record attendance year is a credit to Bettman. Gary has caught a lot of flack over the years but has been good for the NHL, brought the league from the brink of collapse back to respectable. Every professional sport's preseason sucks, anything to shorten the NHL's is an improvement. I think the tax advantage some states offer definitely gives them an edge but if a player has a good money manager and is fiscally responsible not so relevant to choosing a team. Players will still prioritize the nostalgia of being on an original 6 team despite their cities being taxation nightmares.
Bettman is a cock who hates Dolan because he told the truth that Parros is an incompetent fuck, who’s unfit for his job.
Most of the board posters here hate Dolan, league disciplinarians have always been biased against the Rangers including Brendan Shanahan who I'd thought would be different. The point is the NHL was in terrible shape, rule change interpretations made average teams who loved grabbing on men like the Debs Cup winners. No concerns for player safety with creeps like Scotty Cheapshot being heralded for blindsiding unsuspecting players with legal for him elbows then hiding behind a goon to avoid punishment. Normally I would feel for a guy suffering from post concussion syndrome but in Scotty's case well deserved. Bettman was met with resistance when he said he was ending the theatrical 10 minute fights and also implemented video replay to correct calls before any of the other leagues. I think the NHL game is much improved under Bettman, not perfect for sure but much better.
