The major problem here is that the NHL doesn't seem to be the kind of league that can operate under the NBA-like structure that has been in place since Gary Bettman became the commissioner. I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that two teams -- the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens -- are worth more than the rest of the NHL combined. I don't see how this league can possibly continue to function with so many troubled franchises in places where there simply aren't enough fans to support a team.
They already have a piece of the action, the TV contract is part of the revenue that gets divided up to make the salary cap. The last I saw they were arguing over pennies, they’re both gunning for a 50/50 split the question is 50% of what, and one side’s 50/50 when looked at with the other side’s is about 47/53. But like so often happens in labor negotiations nobody wants to blink and look week. Unless somebody goes nuts any lockout should be quick, this isn’t a fundamental differences argument like the last one that resulted in the NHL being a capped league.