| | NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently took time out to chat with ESPN.com users about the upcoming 2000-'01 NHL season and offer some insight into the state of the game.
Bettman addressed such issues as restricted free agents, expansion, fighting, officiating, and how much time he gets to spend with the Cup. Always in good humor, Bettman also responded to one users' claim that his Stanley Cup speech is "rather boring".
In case you missed the September 27 chat, the following is an edited transcript.
Will Martin: Do you agree that the current method of handling restricted free agents is hurting the league
(protracted holdouts, etc.)? Is there anything that can be done to address this other than waiting for
a new CBA?
Gary Bettman: The rules governing free agency are provided in the bargaining agreement and if we want to make modifications, the consent of the Player Association would be required. We have about 24
players who have chosen not to resign at the time. That number is about 20 percent fewer than
this time last year and substantially less than two years ago. The players have the option of going
to arbitration but these guys have chosen not to arbitrate. We would rather have all our best
players with their teams as fast as possible.
Alan Hollander: Is the NHL considering altering the schedule in upcoming seasons to only play intra-conference
games?
Gary Bettman: At the present time the schedule provides for basically one game against each team outside your conference and you alternate playing home and away every other season. There are some
exceptions to the rule which particulary affect the clubs in Canada. There are currently not plans
to modify the way it is now.
Ron Buck: What's the best rivalry in hockey?
Gary Bettman: I think the one that has the most intensity over the last few years is Detroit-Colorado which goes
back to the series when Claude Lemeiux was involed in a hit that injured Kris Draper. Probably no rivalry will ever match the historic intensity of
Toronto-Montreal.
Adam Hill: When it comes time to negotiate the new collective bargaining agreement, what key points are
you going to push for?
Gary Bettman: It's too early to decide what our objectives are going to have to be in the next round of collective
bargaining. We still have to see how the current system is working. I believe all teams must be
competitive and financially viable where they are currently located.
Tony K: Do you agree with the courts getting involved in the Marty McSorely incident, or do you think
hockey should be able to govern itself?
Gary Bettman: There are two reasons I can't reply; if McSorley wants to resume his career he has to come
before me for a hearing and I would have to make the decision, also the trial is still going on.
So I'm sorry I can't comment.
Killer Rat Monkey: Do you think these past Finals were a wake-up call to fans everywhere that defensive hockey
can be exciting?
Gary Bettman: Actually, while both Dallas and N.J. are noted for their defensive style, these games were not
lacking in offense. You saw exciting playoff hockey at it's best. And there were ample scoring
chances for both teams. Not to overlook the spectacular goaltending. You look at a team like
Dallas who has great offensive players and the Devils who have guys like Elias and Mogilny, it's
just not about defense alone. Although coaches in all sports know the importance of a good
defense.
Mock: Ticket prices are getting way out of control where long-time season ticket holders like myself are
forced to move to cheaper seats and sell off games. Is the NHL studying any ways ot keep ticket
prices reasonably affordable?
Gary Bettman: We are very mindful of the fact that prices have been increasing. Out of the big four sports, MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL, our sport is the third or fourth
in terms of being most expensive. We are seeing a number of teams lowering prices in certain
parts of the arena and offering family packages, etc. Prices have not yet affected our attendance
but we are aware of it and are staying focused on it.
Sabresguy61: Can you tell us some of the reasons for the constant expansion in the NHL?
Gary Bettman: The NHL has expanded over the last few years to respond to the interest cities are showing. We
have been fortunate in the 90s that our worlwide talent pool has allowed us to stock the teams
with talent. We believe that having 30 teams in 21 U.S. markets, enables us to be competitive in a
national arena. We are not looking at further expansion at this time.
OlieDaGoalie: Gary,
Are there any new innovations that the NHL plans to bring to us this year, be it through TV or on
the ice?
Gary Bettman: We think the game as played last year gave us an exciting season and we are not looking at any
fundamental changes. We will have two referees and will be paying more attention to obstruction
in the neutral zone, hits to the head, etc. Last years change in the OT format worked extremely
well and we expect the same results this season. In addition, ESPN and ABC in the US and the
stations in Canada will provide great exposure, the best we've ever had. NHL Rules on ESPN
and ESPN2 was really successful last year and we plan on doing more of that.
Alex: What is the financial state of some of the Canadian teams?
Gary Bettman: The Canadian teams are a priority for the league. We want to do everything possible to make
sure those six teams stay EXACTLY where they are. Edmonton was successful in reorganizing
their ownership group, Ottawa was able to garner the local suport from the goverment and fans,
Calgary began that process last spring and increased its fan base, Vancouver will be making
similar steps to ensure it's local support and when you look at all the individual teams, we are
dealing with each franchise on a market by market case and we are very optimistic we will have
a successful resolution.
Groucho: Regarding the two referees - with the aggressive expansion, are there truly enough quality
officials to cover all the games?
Gary Bettman: When you total linesmen and referees there are approximately 80 and they are 80 of the world's best
officials. We are comfortable we have the talent pool to draw upon. With the education and
critiquing process we have in place, we are comfortable our existing staff can be supplemented with
the newer officials and they can develop into first class officials.
Basically, we added 16 officials to our staff over a three year phase-in period. We felt we could
gradually work in the newer officials without doing them all at once. It should be noted, since we
began the phase-in, penalty minutes have decreased dramatcially. Last season their were 3500
fewer minutes than the year prior and 8500 fewer than two years prior. In 1996-97 we averaged
37.4 penatly minutes a game, last year 28.1 minutes per game. We like the trend.
Pens Fan: Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup this year?
Gary Bettman: The best team! Obviously we don't know and that is what makes the season so exciting!
Minnesota Marty: Hockey has grown up being a "Northern" sport. What have you seen from the south now that it
has expanded?
Gary Bettman: Obviously participation for hockey on ice is much greater in the northern climates although we
have seen an increase on inline skates in northern climates. The modern arena has air conditioning
which means the game can be played anywhere. The game has done well everywhere, Florida,
Texas, etc. We are seeing an increase in rinks and that has increased the number of children and adult leagues and people playing hockey in general. What we have seen everywhere we have put a franchise is
that when people have the chance to see the game in person they gravitate to it.
Ed: Gary, could you change your speech next year when you present the Stanley Cup to the winning
team? The one you've used the past few years is rather boring.
Gary Bettman: Actually, if I'm not mistaken I think I say something different each time! But I'll look at the tapes to see if my recollection is correct.
Steve: Gary, are the referees going to be calling stick infractions all year or is the pressure that has been put
on them just to say that they are watching for it?
Gary Bettman: Our intention is to have the standard maintained for the entire season. We are comfortable that
we can do that because we are using more technology to review the officials and because our
new chief of staff Andy Van Hellerman knows we are committed to the standard. We watch and
review EVERY game that is played and we are confident that Andy can get this done for us.
NH Leafsfan: There have been rumors for years that the NHL is considering outlawing fighting in NHL games.
Do you see this happening?
Gary Bettman: Fighting has continued to be a less important part of the game. In the last seven years it has
declined 25 percent from the previous seven years. I think that evolution will continue. There are
major concerns about what would happen if you just eliminated it all together. Many belive it
would increase stick work and that is not what we want to see. You can't just fight and make it as
a player in the NHL anymore. You have to have a level of skill that allows your team to win
games.
Ren Hoek: Will Hartford ever be an NHL city again?
Gary Bettman: We have no plans to expand or relocate any franchises.
Killer Rat Monkey: Do you ever get to spend any time with the Stanley Cup?
Gary Bettman: As a general rule, I only get to spend time with it when I present it which is actually the best part
of my job.
This has been fun. Sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions. We are looking forward to a great
season and we hope all of you find ESPN.com, watch our first game on ESPN and come visit
NHL.com. Take care everybody. | |
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