“The expansion to the South and the West has worked, without a doubt. To see Tampa as a tremendous hockey market, to see Nashville, the success with Anaheim, San Jose, and now Las Vegas.

“Revenues are up. TV ratings are better. I think the NHL is in great shape. I mean, Vegas — I’m a little jealous, for sure — but how does it get better for the NHL than what’s happening there?

“You can’t get a ticket for hockey in Vegas. Amazing.’’

-Craig Leipold, owner of the Minnesota Wild. Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune has more on the Gary Bettman expansion era.