Brilliant, but nope. The goal is fat cat money from American TV, and note the league is American based, and to do so, Canadian teams need to be taken out as soon as possible in the playoffs, to show the American TV networks that the league can be counted on to get, um, 'technical support' 24/7 365 for the American TV networks, just like the NBA does.
Hate to be right, but: Bettman is no fool and he knows full well that strong stable revenue flow comes from bankable TV money, and not fickle or fluke based gate receipts. The other American based professional sports leagues are not as dependent on walk-ups. I understand all NFL costs are covered before a ticket is sold. Hockey is still very dependent on the fluke of being in a playoff race, etc. Ownership may insist their teams are never not all in, as its playoffs or it's highly unpleasant check writing time (Which is not the way things work for billionaires)
All Sunbelt, Dixie and NASCAR country teams need a fat- cat US TV deal. And what is holding that up? A bunch of ruinous to ratings Canadian teams. Winnipeg vs Ottawa? As long as that is on the table, big problems.
So what can the American Association of United States Ice Hockey Teams do? Learn form the NBA, where Betteman cut his teeth. Just take a look at the list of NBA champions, and then take a look at the 10 largest markets.
Note the share of the spoils between TV markets and how TV network friendly they are.
It is true that Bell and Media have paid very, very dearly for the hockey rights, to the point that the thinking is that it has resulted in red ink and on and off air people losing their jobs to stem the losses.
One of the issues is that it is not hockey that is ingrained into Canadian cultural mythology, but winning the Stanley Cup, a very particular brand of hockey and a particular event. And one controlled by the American Association of United States Ice Hockey Teams
The way it really is is that the AAUSIHT has teams in Dixie, NASCRA country and the Sunbelt and ranks up there with high school basketball, but below high school football. They need good and healthy Canadian teams to share the spoils for thier survival in the regular season and elimination of the American ratings disaster of covering a Canadian team in the playoffs.
Concerning Rogers and Bell: Kind of unfair that someone gets canned because no Canadian teams made the playoffs, but that's how it is.
Just remember this: The goal is to get big fat US TV money, and that means Canadian teams do not get the benefit of the whistle in the playoffs, ever.