The economy grew 386 percent between 1994 and 1999?
Are you so anti-Bettman that you can't face facts and give a little credit for what he's done right? The fact, whether you like it or not, is that Bettman helped put $755 million dollars into the league by landing the NHL its first national television contracts in the U.S. this benefited players most of all because it allowed for their skyrocketing salaries. Spin it all you want, but a fact is a fact.
Do I think Bettman's done a good job? Not really. But he hasn't done as poorly as some around here want to claim. He gets all the blame for expansion, but the fact is that five of the nine teams added in the 1990s were admitted to the league before he became commissioner. Two of the Bettman expansions were no-brainers. Minnesota is obviously a hockey town and Atlanta is a top 10 market (and the only one the NHL was not in previously). Columbus may be questionable, but has done very well in building a fan base. Nashville is the only real question mark.
Where Bettman's failed, IMO, is in labor relations (duh) and in marketing the game. In these areas he deserves an F. But in terms of growing the sport and its revenues, he's done a fine job.