The NHL is primed to be a major force within the next 3 years or so. The league has never been so stocked with young, exciting talent as it is now. Even better is that it is going to continue to flow for years to come. It is incredible how good some of these guys are and the potential they possess. Here is a short and incomplete list of players drafted in the last 5 years: Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Backstrom, Kessel, Erik Johnson, Bobby Ryan, Kopitar, Bobby Ryan, Stastny, Tavares, and Matt Duchene. These guys are selling merchandise and tickets in droves and have revived hockey in some very large markets. The NHL is stacked. Meanwhile, the NBA and NFL both face lockouts in the next 3 years. The renegotiations of the CBA for these two organizations are going to be ugly and it might not be shocking to see one of these leagues go into a lockout. If one of these do shut down for a season, hockey will have a major opportunity to advance its fan base.
Despite a major recession, this year season tickets were renewed at an 85% clip, decent retention, and the league managed to expand its corporate sponsorship. League revenue increased this year and the ratings for the deciding game of last year's Stanley cup were a 36-year high. Opening weekend ratings were up across the board. The league has also been very savvy with its online "NHL Gamecenter Live" subscription which has seen a 70% increase from last season. NHL's online information is unparalleled and is helping it to expand not only nationally but globally. The league also continues to expand into a fertile European market with opening weekend games in Helsinki.
It isn't all perfect though, there are still many teams struggling right now. The Phoenix Coyotes saga has been a black eye, and several other southern teams are struggling mightily. There is a good chance that some of these teams may fold in coming years. But overall, even the hapless Gary Bettman may have a lot of people eating crow.
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