However, even though parity has greatly contributed to raising the standard of play, providing exceptional hockey in almost every game, there's still something missing in the eyes of the fans and professional players alike.
The lack of international competition featuring all the best players in the world is a topic that continues to be discussed within the NHL, but there might be a significant development on this front.
The deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, just made a major statement about the return of international events. He not only spoke about World Championships but also about the Olympic Games.
This would be huge for the future of hockey, but most importantly, a great win for fans who haven't seen the NHL participate in the Olympics since 2014.
There's nothing more beautiful and thrilling than the do-or-die matches of international hockey, where nations compete for the world title. While it's always exciting to watch the playoffs, it's hard to beat epic moments in this sport, like Sidney Crosby's famous "golden goal" at the 2010 Olympic Games.
There's still no confirmation on this, but the fact that Gary Bettman's deputy is talking about it publicly and openly is a massive step in the right direction.
POLL | ||
Do you want to see the NHL return to the Olympics? | ||
Yes | 113 | 77.9 % |
No | 32 | 22.1 % |
List of polls |