And the NHL’s MVP in this most unusual season is… Gary Bettman?

Opinion

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This article was published 03/07/2020 (1895 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a year that’s already given us more plot twists than an M. Night Shyamalan film — are those murder hornets still a thing? — here’s another development few likely saw coming: Gary Bettman is running away with the title of 2020’s best commissioner in North American pro sports.

Yes, THAT Gary Bettman, the same guy who is greeted with deafening boos seemingly every time he shows his face inside a rink. It’s become part of his schtick, and the 68-year-old New York lawyer has embraced the role like a classic pro wrestling villain.

One of my favourite moments on the sports beat came while covering the 2019 draft in Vancouver, where fans at Rogers Arena were merciless as the NHL boss took the stage. “Keep it up — if you can!” Bettman taunted the sold-out crowd, reviling in the raucous reaction. He quickly turned the jeers into cheers when he brought out Daniel and Henrik Sedin to get the event underway. From heel to hero in the blink of an eye.

I was reminded of that humorous moment this week, as marathon negotiating sessions between the NHL and NHLPA produced a complex, tentative agreement that, assuming it gets approved by a player vote in the coming days, will go down as one of the most pivotal in league history and should have hockey lovers on their feet celebrating both the short- and long-term direction of the league.

Not only have they mapped out a unique return-to-play this summer including extensive health and safety protocols and a 24-team Stanley Cup tournament to be held in Edmonton and Toronto, they’ve also guaranteed peace for the foreseeable future through a new financial framework and multi-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement.

The fact this happened in the middle of a global pandemic still wreaking havoc on the economy is nothing short of incredible, especially when you look at the current messes in MLB (massive dissension between players and owners), the NBA (COVID-19 epicentre Florida is being used a hub?!) and the NFL (Washington Redskins debacle, looking at allowing fans in stadiums this fall provided they sign waivers).

Don’t just take my word for it. An online poll this week from website SBNation.com showed Bettman ahead of sporty compatriots Rob Manfred, Adam Silver and Roger Goodell when it comes to confidence and trust in a commissioner. Voters clearly like what they’re seeing in the NHL. As they should.

Bettman is not without flaws. There have been three work stoppages under his watch (the 1994-95, 2004-05 and 2012-13 lockouts) that are a stain on his legacy and help explain, at least in part, why he’s so unpopular among fans. But he’s also overseen record revenue growth, widened the league’s footprint in non-typical U.S. markets and overseas, expanded to 32 teams and, most importantly around these parts, brought the NHL back to Winnipeg.

Although numerous parties have been involved in hashing out the exhaustive protocols over the past few weeks, including union rep Donald Fehr, this is Bettman’s baby. The buck starts and stops with the 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, and steering the league through the roughest of waters and charting a smoother course might just be the crowning achievement in his 27 years at the helm.

Whether it was backing off plans to have a draft in June or abandoning U.S. markets such as Las Vegas as potential hubs, Bettman has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to be flexible and work in concert with stakeholders, rather than simply dictating how things are going to happen. Which is how any good leader should operate, regardless of what kind of business they’re running.

Fans, especially here in Winnipeg, should be especially excited at the provision which includes NHL participation at the next two Winter Olympics — 2022 in Beijing and 2026 in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. That represents a major concession from Bettman, who prevented players from going to the 2018 Games in South Korea and appeared to be foolishly set in his ways on an issue of great importance.

There are several Jets players who could benefit. Imagine Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey representing Canada, Connor Hellebuyck and Kyle Connor skating on behalf of Uncle Sam and Patrik Laine firing one-timers for Finland in a true best-on-best competition on the biggest international stage of all.

Now, such a scenario isn’t just a pipe-dream anymore. There could be others, too, although Blake Wheeler will be on the cusp of turning 36 and likely to be a longshot for th U.S. Nikolaj Ehlers will be be a shoo-in for Denmark, if they can qualify.

Since bringing back the Jets in time for the 2011-12 season, Bettman’s reception at Bell MTS Place has always been less frosty than what he experiences at other rinks around the league. And while he’s still more likely to be viewed as a pariah rather than Mr. Popular among the majority of hockey fans, there’s no doubt he’s the right guy at the helm to lead the league through these unprecedented times.

Despite that, I suspect most will go ahead and hold their applause. Perhaps, just for old times sake, the league can pipe in a chorus of boos as the commissioner does the most unique Stanley Cup presentation in league history sometime this fall in an otherwise-empty Edmonton arena.

Bettman may deserve better, but he likely wouldn’t want it any other way.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg