It's so fashionable for fanboys to knock Bettman but for most , you can't or won't see the big picture. Besides the 74 cents dollar, what are the chances you will ever get the best players playing Canada  
Batmen's job is to maximise return on capital for the owners. This includes economy of scale  (30 (teams)to get that television contract to compete with baseball, basketball and football. Most NHL owners are billionaires which insures stability. 
The canard that most Americans don't care for hockey is clearly false. Americans support the team and the game. I've been to most NHL and AHL rinks in the U.S. and attendance varies depending on the season. People forget that there are more hockey teams in the U.S. than anywhere in the world. 
You have NHL. AHL, ECHL, plus all the junior leagues, excellent high school teams, plus all the NCAA Division 1 and 3 teams for men and women. 
Yes Canada supplies about half the NHL players but don't forget that Americans contribute many as well.