And it is amazing that the Bettman bashing still goes on. Hockey's attendance is almost on pace with basketball, the Winter Classic is a showcase event, and it looks like the design of the CBA will allow the salary cap to function without huge fluctuations even in the current economy. It seems like the only people who don't follow/make fun of hockey do it because… well, apparently because hockey is “supposed” to be the ugly duckling. Not for any reason related to the excitement and actual interest in the game.

To change it suddenly (with official announcements made Friday afternoon) is unfair. It is clear that Datsyuk and Lidstrom do have injuries, you can debate whether or not they are serious injuries, but this is dangerous ground to tread upon. If one is forced to work by somebody who has no medical training and never attempted to examine you, there are plenty of potential problems that could develop. That's essentially what Bettman is doing with this expansion of his powers.