NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a "firm grasp on the
issues of the game -- on the ice, as well as off," according
to Keith Gave of CBS SportsLine, who wrote that off the ice,
Bettman's "guiding influence has been even more impressive.
Even to those who aren't easily impressed." Stars Owner Tom
Hicks, on Bettman: "I always expected that what you want in
a professional sports league is a strong leader -- because
we need to be led. But you also want ownership of the
process, too. ... Gary strikes the perfect balance." Stars
President Jim Lites adds of Bettman, "He's doing his best to
keep up our public image. There are times I certainly don't
see eye to eye with him on issues, but overall he's done a
very good job." Gave writes that Bettman's "detractors are
some of the same people who have benefited greatly at the
bank" since Bettman came to the NHL, including NHLPA Exec
Dir Bob Goodenow. Gave, on Bettman: "He calls regular
teleconferences -- believed to be weekly -- during which
owners and [GMs] share ideas about how to run their
businesses with more discipline." One NHL governor: "Gary's
really got good control now as far as providing information
to us -- what some people are doing and how individual clubs
are operating. Obviously, we don't do all of the things
that have to be done. A lot of clubs are still spending
lots of money, but more clubs are becoming very conscious of
what they're doing" (CBS SportsLine, 12/9).
