IMO opinoin hockey is the greatest sport on the planet. But as it is a niche sport, the money that you see in baseball, basketball, and football just isn't there.
The players have to understand that. The big money is in the States, and the passion Canada has for the game is greater than here. Until the players realize that they are getting the chance of a lifetime to get off the farm in ALberta, and stop treating the NHL like some entitlement program (see baseball, basketball, and football), there are going to continue to be labor/pay issues.
I hope they get this thing settled soon. The game deserves better.