The NHL Contraction Myth

The NHL lockout is more than just a labor dispute. It has opened the discussion on every aspect of pro hockey.

While voicing their frustration at the shutdown of the NHL season, hockey fans are speaking out on other issues. They complain about ticket prices, the league's rapid expansion and the quality of the game. A favorite topic, especially in Canada, is contraction.

"I personally think the League needs to cut down the number of teams," said one Toronto fan, speaking to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a CBC Television appearance last month. "When you do that, you de-saturate the number of weaker players in the League, thus making the game faster, more intense, more exciting, more affordable, more attractive to fans in the League."

Sounds good. But the contraction argument does not hold up under scrutiny. Read More...