Gary Bettman and the Ever-Changing State of the NHL

The NHL offseason started off in typical fashion with the free-agent frenzy of July 1st. It is now August and the preseason is just around the corner.

In such a short time, the NHL has been thrust into the spotlight of the media. The NHL was thought to be very stable in a time where leagues like the NFL and NBA were in the midst of a lockout and work stoppage.

However, recent events are making fans question the stability of the NHL. As many devout fans know, the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of this season.

Major sticking points of the CBA will involve long-term contracts and many other vital issues at the heart of the game of hockey.

Yesterday the NHL was in the prime time for many media markets. This new-found media attention is not the result of exceptional play by the league’s players, but because of the unrest in Nassau county over a referendum to replace the aging Nassau Coliseum.

A red flag should go off when a team with such a rich history like the New York Islanders is on the verge of relocating. This is the franchise that won four consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1980s.

It is easy to say that a bad economy can contribute to down attendance, but any businessman will tell you that you need to spend money to make money.

This was the same story a few months ago when the Atlanta Thrashers were abruptly uprooted and relocated to Winnipeg due to poor attendance and the failure to secure new committed owners.

This story may have a third installment at the end of this season when the Phoenix Coyotes will be on the verge of relocating, as the city of Glendale is tired of shelling out money to keep the team in Phoenix.

There are certainly not many guarantees in the NHL or in professional sports in general. One guarantee, however, is that the NHL is on the verge of losing all the momentum it has slowly built since returning from the lockout.

Another lockout would be devastating for the NHL. When your league has three teams on the verge of relocation in a span of five years, how can you call it stable?

Events like the Winter Classic have brought in new fans and have entertained old fans alike. TV ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals have seen some generous increases.

Contraction and the relocation of teams is something that doesn't sit well with commissioner Gary Bettman. His approval rating is at an all-time low. This was clearly evident when he was booed out of the Rogers Arena when presenting the Stanley Cup to Zdeno Chara.

Bettman also wasn't well received when he appeared at the press conference to announce the return of the Winnipeg Jets.

The vote may not have turned out in the Islanders' favor, but they will remain on Long Island for the next four seasons.

However, what happens after that?

The Coyotes were given a stay of execution this year, but that's likely to change when all is said and done in June of 2012.

The biggest question that remains, however, is can Gary Bettman save face given the current state of the NHL?

The NHL needs a new leader who realizes that business needs to be conducted in a new fashion. Floundering teams who can't be supported by their fan bases need to be relocated or given opportunities to raise support.

The Islanders are a franchise with a rich history. It would be a crime to see them grouped in with the Thrashers and Coyotes as the second wave of relocation.

The first wave include the Winnipeg Jets, the Quebec Nordiques and the Hartford Whalers. The second wave could include the Islanders, Thrashers and Coyotes.

There are a few things that could help the NHL avoid a lockout.

The first thing that needs to happen is an ironed out CBA before the current season ends. We all saw how long the government took to agree on a federal budget and how long it took the NFLPA and owners to come to an agreement.

If a new CBA that addresses long-term contracts, free agency and other vital issues is agreed upon and passed, the NHL can work to improve the health of its franchises.

Fans love coming to an arena that feels like home and is outfitted with many small luxuries. Most will put up with minor imperfections when they go on a road trip, but the season ticket holders that spend thousands of dollars for tickets want their money's worth.

Teams like the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins played in arenas that were constructed in the 1960s. The Penguins addressed their arena concerns when the Consol Energy Arena was constructed and opened this season.

Likewise, the Rangers have started a multi-year renovation of Madison Square Garden. Many other teams over the course of time have made upgrades and improvements to their own arenas.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, for instance, have started a renovation to be completed by October. The renovation includes new seating, tesla coils that shoot lightning whenever Tampa scores a goal and other luxuries to enhance the experience of the fan.

Likewise, with the exception of the Islanders, Oilers, Flames, Rangers and Red Wings, each current NHL arena was built in the 1990s or later. 

The NHL needs to pay more attention to attendance statistics. When these numbers start to dip, they need to investigate. It is no secret that the Coliseum nicknamed by detractors as the "Mausoleum" doesn't draw many fans. This has been the case for years.

Just like the NHL took over controlling interest in the Phoenix Coyotes, there should be some form of oversight in the health of arenas. 

It is not fiscally sane to build new arenas all the time, but little improvements can bide time and extend the life of an arena. 

This was not practical for the Islanders, as repairs would cost more than a new arena. Had the NHL stepped in sooner and forced the Islanders to do something, however, things could be different.

Owning a franchise is great and all, but it should not be taken lightly. There are hundreds of people with capital readily available to make immediate changes if they were given an opportunity to own a team.

Likewise, there are many cities like Quebec, Hamilton, Seattle, Hartford, etc., that would love to house an NHL franchise.

If the attendance findings prove that the area can't support a franchise, the team should be relocated to an area where they will be supported.

The MTS Arena in Winnipeg may only have 15,015 seats, but the fans will pour in each and every night. In due time they will buy the jerseys, eat at local restaurants and financially contribute to other things that generate revenue and stimulate the local economy.

Gary Bettman’s tenure as commissioner thus far has been a complete failure. Under his watch, four teams have relocated (Quebec, Hartford, Winnipeg, Atlanta), two others are on the verge of moving and a lockout occurred (with another one looming at the end of this season).

Bettman may have recently signed a contract extension, but if he truly cares about the NHL he should step down and give the reins to a suitable replacement.

At the end of the day this may not all be feasible, but it is some food for thought to consider and contemplate.

The NHL is one of the most exciting and entertaining sports today. It's always a shame when a community loses a team.

If some of these ideas and concepts could be taken into consideration, I feel the NHL would be in a much better state. I don't have all the answers; I would love to hear what you think

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free agent news, updates and alerts about players: