So NHL, what have you contributed to the world of sports this year? Sportsbook odds indicate that it’s not a whole hell of a lot, which sucks.

I’m not talking to you hardcore NHL betting fans. Right now, I’m talking about the NHL on a global sports scale.

For example: baseball had Roger Clemens and his trip to congress, the NFL had Brett Favre, the Olympics had Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, baseball had the Tampa Bay Rays and basketball had the Lakers-Celtics.

Those who bet online know that there haven’t been that many memorable, stay-with-you-until-2010-type of moments. Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds come to mind. Maybe Sidney Crosby’s first Stanley Cup Finals, but that guy lacks personality so much that nobody really empathizes with him. How about Jonathan Toews crazy goal? Again, hardcore hockey fans will remember but general sports fans don’t care too much.

The bottom line is the NHL has put together a better product on the ice but it still lacks story lines, personalities and off-ice excitement.