I can understand you sentiments, but as far as the owners getting together and simply agreeing "Hey let's keep player saleries on the whole down and not sign anyone to contracts over $X million.," aside from the fact that will never happen - it's illegal. It's called collusion and it violates just about every anti-trust law on the books.
Gary Bettman wouldn't make it through the first round in the boardroom with Donald Trump if he applied for the position of apprentice
I'm sorry - is it just me or didn't Donald Trump declare bankruptcy... and later declare it the greatest business move he ever made. If Bettman is supposed to try to be like Trump then, yes, there would be no lockout of the NHL... the NHL would simply be BANKRUPT AND NONEXISTENT!