Excellent post and I agree with many of your points, especially about having "easy access" to play the other sports, its just not that easy with hockey, and even in some places if you want to rent a rink to play hockey, youll have to play at oddball times (1am, 2am etc)...its not easy.
The players do have to face the harsh reality that the NHL is not bringing in the revenue it once was, especially without TV money, but I do believe the owners should give just a tad more felxibility as well. But some of the problems with the NHL today does fall squarely on the owners, but still ownes cannot get together and decide to hold down salaries, thats collusion, so its clear the system is flawed.
IMO Bettman has done a pretty bad job overall, and needs to be replaced, especially if the season is cancelled. Same with Goodenow. The NHL MUST find a good system for all parties, get rules changed for the better, AND lower ticket prices to get back the good hockey fans.