Agree with the OP if we lose the season and a better environment emerges, that would be good.
My idea: Ten teams in a Canadian Division, ten teams in an American Division, after divisional eliminations the two winners play for the Stanley Cup.
This would lower costs and ticket prices, increase quality of play, and marshal fan interest right up to the cross-border final. The fans would win.
But the millionaire owners don't want franchises to fold, and the millionaire players don't want to see 1/3 of NHLPA members lose their jobs.
Too bad neither side's interests correspond with what's good for hockey!