17°c Partly cloudy
12°c Cloudy with showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
'W' word no longer irks Bettman
Unqualified praise for return of NHL and past season
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to reporters before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final. (KATHY WILLENS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
NEWARK, N.J. -- There was a time at these yearly state of the NHL addresses prior to the Stanley Cup final when commissioner Gary Bettman would get a little irked over the topic of Winnipeg. Not anymore.
"Happy anniversary, Winnipeg," chimed Bettman as he interrupted a question from the Free Press on Wednesday just over an hour prior to Game 1. Later, he offered a hand to a reporter and pronounced: "What a great story Winnipeg has been. There are no negatives to it at all."
Bettman's address was well-attended by media from all across the hockey landscape as well as four gentlemen from the NHLPA standing at the back of the room including the union's head Donald Fehr.
Bettman took questions on various league topics including the collective bargaining agreement and the Phoenix Coyotes.
The CBA expires on Sept. 15 and while Bettman said Wednesday he and Fehr have agreed to begin talks and are working on a schedule, the growing sentiment around the league is a protracted negotiation including a work stoppage is coming hockey's way.
"I don't understand both the speculation and the degree of negativity that it connotes considering we, meaning the league and the players' association, have yet to have a substantive discussion on what we may each be looking for in collective bargaining,'' said Bettman.
"It is nothing more than speculation at this point. There can't be any substance to it because there haven't been any substantive conversations.''
Fehr was asked how he expects negotiations to go but wouldn't share his thoughts.
"I have some ideas as to how it's going to go but I have learned that making predictions in this business is a bit of a foolish enterprise,'' said Fehr. "Too many things can happen that can cause you to change course.''
Bettman announced the NHL is enjoying a record year with revenues of $3.3 billion, as well as having unprecedented relevance in the U.S. due to its TV deal with NBC Sports, which has shown every NHL playoff game.
Despite this, the league and the players feel it's necessary to crack open the deal and make changes.
"A little bit of history for people: We originally agreed, coming out of the work stoppage, this would be a six-year deal. The players' association at the time was concerned about how they would like the system. So we agreed if they wanted to shorten it to four years, they could. We also agreed that if they liked the system, they could extend it a year," said Bettman. "There are probably a host of things, from a day-to-day standpoint at least, that both we and the players' association need to focus on. Seven years is a long time for a deal to be in place."
Fehr says the players want a deal to happen with as little pain as possible.
"All I can say is, I certainly hope it does,'' said Fehr.
Bettman said potential Coyotes owner Greg Jamison continues to work on a deal but needs to finalize an arena-management deal with the City of Glendale and secure the financing to buy the team.
"I spoke to Greg Jamison early today. He continues to do the two things he needs to do to secure the future of the Coyotes where they are, in Arizona." Bettman wouldn't say if the NHL will take part in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
"I think there are a whole host of issues that relate to the competitiveness of our season and what the Olympic participation might do to that," he said. "The benefits from the Olympics have to be evaluated as we balance it against the impact that it has. I think in that regard we have to take into account where the next two Winter Olympics are going to be."
gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 31, 2012 C6
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 46 articles for today)
Selinger talks tax at NDP convention in Brandon
7:45 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'I told them, "I think that guy downstairs is dead"': teen witness at murder trial
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- Katz knew golf plan doomed 'months ago'
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- City's first urban reserve born
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Catching up with Arrested Development's Bluth family
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Lake St. Martin reserve close to getting new home
- 'I told them, "I think that guy downstairs is dead"': teen witness at murder trial
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Jockey club launches $350-M civil suit against province
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.