Jim Rutherford doesn't particularly care for the idea of finishing the 2019-20 NHL season in empty arenas.
Playing without fans present would have a profound impact on the games, he said, and that's without even getting into the issue of losing the money from ticket sales on which the league relies so heavily.
"We always talk about gate revenue, but it's ... important to our fans to watch their team and cheer on their team," Rutherford said. "And important to the organization and to the players, you know, because the fans really drive the players.