What is the main purpose of the National Hockey League (NHL)?

The primary purpose of the National Hockey League (NHL) is to oversee professional ice hockey in North America. The NHL governs all operations related to the professional leagues and teams, including the rules of the game, player contracts, and the organization of the league's schedule, among other responsibilities. It serves as the major professional league for ice hockey in the United States and Canada, providing a structured environment where teams compete at the highest level. This oversight ensures a uniformity of play and helps promote the sport professionally.

While promoting player safety is an important aspect of the league, it falls under the broader category of maintaining a safe and competitive environment, rather than being the main purpose itself. Additionally, managing youth hockey programs and organizing international competitions are important facets of hockey as a whole but are not the core function of the NHL specifically, as they typically involve separate organizations and governing bodies dedicated to those areas.