Whether or not hockey is a business is not the story.  The story is, Canadian-based teams are in the hunt for the Stanley Cup and there are a couple of legitimate contenders (Edmonton and Montreal) for the big prize.  Course, the NHL  doesn't want the Cup to come north of the border - because this would throw a large monkey-wrench into the works.  Too, the NHL is getting back at Canada; especially the Men's Hockey Team for winning the last two Gold Medals.  It is all about promoting America at the cost of Canada and, indirectly, the other nations which play hockey and provide players to the NHL.  Okay, let the NHL and its American owners have their way.  But....with any sort of luck, the Canadian based teams will eliminate enough of the American teams to make the NHL re-visit their game plan.