Their primary agenda is to expand to markets in the U.S. where hockey is not popular. Forget expansion, even existing Canadian teams are at high-risk. Look at how the league did everything within its power to keep the Coyotes in Arizona. Compare that to how they treat Calgary, eagerly proclaiming that they will leave the market at the earliest opportunity.
You are 100% wrong. That has nothing to do with Canada vs USA -- except when it comes to the country's local policies on building taxpayer-funded arenas.
EVERY "This team could move" statement by the NHL is followed by "without a new arena/lease."
Wanted a new arena and didn't get one:
North Stars (USA): Moved when lease was up/close enough to end they could buy their way out.
Jets 1.0 (CAN): Moved when lease was up/close enough to end they could buy their way out.
Nordiques (CAN): Moved when lease was up/close enough to end they could buy their way out.
Whalers (USA): Moved when lease was up/close enough to end they could buy their way out.
Islanders (USA): Moved within the same market, but out of the county that didn't build for them.
That's not USA vs CAN. Same result for teams in both nations.
Had a while to go on lease, but was unhappy with arena situation:
Oilers (CAN): Got lease concessions. Later got a new arena.
Devils (USA): Got lease concessions. Later got a new arena.
Predators (USA): Got lease concessions.
Again, teams in the same situation in difference countries, same result.
Wanted a new arena, made overt or thinly veiled relocation threats:
Sabres (USA): (no specific destination). City caved and built an arena.
Penguins (USA): visited Kansas City. City caved and built a new arena.
Oilers (CAN): visited Seattle. City caved and built a new arena.
USA or Canada. Same result.
There's no real Canadian comparison to the Coyotes. But what's happened with them falls in line with the NHL's "Build it" mantra:
Coyotes (USA): wanted to sell to move. NHL said "We get to decide that. Not you." BECAUSE they had a a taxpayer funded arena. There were lease renegotiations. They're still there (and now want a new arena)
Thrashers (USA): Basically got kicked out of their arena. So they moved instantly. To Canada. With very little efforts to keep them in Atlanta, because no owner would want to lease Phillips from ASG.
The NHL is always going to say "Build them a new arena, or they will move." And "You just built them an arena, so we'll fight for them to stay through their lease." Because those things keep cities willing to build arenas and gift them to the owners.
And that's going to be true whether it's in Canada or USA.