from Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News,

How much do NHL owners appreciate the job Bettman has done? Look no further than his executive board-approved salary, which more than doubled from the last lockout in 2004 to a reported $7.98 million in the fiscal year 2011.

Ed Snider has to love Bettman. According to Forbes Magazine, the Flyers spent $73 million in player salaries in 2003-04 before the last lockout. In 2005-06, salaries were capped at $39 million per team - and ticket prices largely remained the same.

Last season, the Flyers spent approximately $71 million in player salaries - still not above the pre-2005 lockout levels. Throw in two Winter Classic appearances and a 2010 trip to the Stanley Cup finals, a somewhat limited revenue-sharing plan, and the Flyers have made money hand over fist.

Stern waited a year until after his lockout ended to step down. But watching Stern take a seat on Thursday makes you wonder how long his protege, Bettman, is for the job.

Even with fan grumbling for his head growing louder and louder every day, my gut says Bettman has made these billionaire owners enough money to call his own shot - whether that is next year or 10 years from now.

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