The LA Times’ Hockey Year in Review

The Highs: Boosted by six outdoor games, the NHL earned record revenues of $3.7 billion for the 2013-14 season, the first full season under its newest collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Assn. A lucrative Canadian TV deal sweetened the pot. According to Forbes, the average franchise value grew 18.6% to an all-time high of $490 million, and three clubs — the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens — surpassed $1 billion. Fans often criticize Commissioner Gary Bettman for his aloofness or lack of feel for the game, but his job has never been safer because he’s making lots of money for lots of owners and got them a salary cap that hasn’t soared as high or fast as predicted.