20,000 NHL fans across North America weigh in on Bettman, gambling, taxes

According to a survey of over 20,000 NHL fans, 78.6% feel enthusiastic or hopeful about the league’s state, though many worry about gambling’s integrity and tax disparities. Nearly 40% rated Commissioner Gary Bettman neutrally; only 22.3% scored him below average. Most respondents don’t bet regularly, but 54% want the league to address no-state-income-tax advantages, and 64% call player-safety rulings inconsistent. Fans’ most common suggested change was restoring 1-through-8 conference playoff seeding; a 3-2-1 points system and better star marketing through personality also ranked highly.