1994 Strike which led to a 48 game season, the Kings declared bankruptcy and owner Bruce McNall was on his way to jail. The Quebec Nordiques were on their way to Denver, and the Winnipeg Jets were on tenuous ground. Even '95 cup winners New Jersey looked like they could be on the move.
Stoppages in 2004-2005 which cancelled the entire season. The owners held their ground, the season was canceled, and the NLHPA disintegrated into rival factions. In the end, the owners were able to institute a salary cap and institute most of the other terms on their wish list. As a result the 2004-05 lockout put a dagger in U.S. hockey growth with USA Hockey losing 18k+ youths from 2004-06
Fans were bitter about the lost season, and more subtle damage was done to the foundation of the game.
2013 half a season was cut because he wanted concessions due to the recession in 2008-2009. It was basically all of this
from the wikipedia: Sports media reported on July 14 on the NHL's first offer to the players. The offer reportedly included: a drop in players' share of "hockey-related revenues" from 57 per cent to 46 per cent; a requirement that players play ten years before becoming an unrestricted free agent. a limit on players' contracts to five years in length; elimination of salary arbitration; and an extension of entry-level contracts to five years from three."
Recently, he is also denying the link between CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and hockey. Claiming no scientific evidence has been brought about that this occurred in any former player due to hockey. I work in the medical field, and the fact that a CEO would deny a lot of the medical research that has been put into this epidemic, really shows that he is only about money and not the well being of both the players and the sport itself.
Canadians have not forgiven Bettman for relocating the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix or the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado early in his tenure or for blocking the potential relocation of the Nashville Predators to Hamilton.
Under Bettman's watch, the league added the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets, while moving the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, the Quebec Nordiques to Denver, the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix and the Hartford Whalers to North Carolina.