We have the most passionate and loyal fans in the world. What they think is important.

I don't know if any one thing is a bigger hurdle than the other. We are demonstrating to the fans we appreciate them staying with us, and we're going to deliver to them an enhanced entertainment product and a chance for all teams to compete for the Stanley Cup.

The NHL has been polling our fans, who have consistently told us that when we come back it should be in a big, bold way. To do that, the NHL, together with its players, recruited an exceptional creative team.

Our plans were well thought through. I believe the dialogue we had with the fans have provided the basis of what we're seeing [in ticket sales]. We certainly wanted to make sure that when we built our new partnership with the players, the fans knew where we were going.

We now have the ability for our clubs to be stable. Across our market, fans need to have hope in the beginning of the season. They want to know their club has a chance. That system is now in place.

The notion is providing more entertainment than ever before. The new rules will allow for more offense and for the stars to shine.