I think we are, and that isn't because there has to be one every few years, but specifically because Bettman hasn't grown revenues enough.
Right now the owners and players are fighting over (relative) crumbs
Look at the NBA, all acrimony between the union and owners vanished with that shiny new TV contract. When everyone is getting fat, nobody wants to disrupt a good thing.
In the NBA, the superstars like LeBron are getting involved in the negotiations. As a superstar, they drive the business. Everyone knows that.
Do we see Crosby, McDavid, Eichel, Mathews, McKinnon, etc taking the lead in negotiations?
NBA cap jumped up quite a bit this past off-season.
There are always topics to bring up in a CBA.
HRR - % allocation to each side
HRR - what is included
Arbitration rights - do players out of ELC get them or do they still go a year or 2 after ELC without them
Buyout %
Cap Floor and Ceiling spread
etc.