NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman tops USA Today's list of the 50 most important people in the NHL, as he is the "dean of commissioners in the four major pro sports," according to Kevin Allen of USA TODAY. While fans "boo him because he is associated with lockouts and a lost season, he has the full support of owners after shepherding in financial stability and growth, competitive balance, a salary cap, a network television package, innovations such as the Winter Classic, the environmental friendly 'NHL Green' initiative and centralized video review." NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr ranks third on the list, just behind Penguins C Sidney Crosby. Fehr has proved to be a "noteworthy peacetime general in the hockey world." He was able to reach a World Cup deal with the NHL that was "profitable for the league and the players." He also "negotiated a 'bye week' for players to be introduced this season in exchange for players' cooperation in altering the NHL All-Star format" (USA TODAY, 10/11).
| NHL's 20 MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE |
| RANK |
TITLE |
| 1 |
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman |
| 2 |
Penguins C Sidney Crosby |
| 3 |
NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr |
| 4 |
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly |
| 5 |
Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin |
| 6 |
Oilers C Connor McDavid |
| 7 |
NHL Senior VP/Player Safety Stephane Quintal |
| T9 |
Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs |
| T9 |
Las Vegas NHL Owner Bill Foley |
| 10 |
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock |
| 11 |
NHL Exec VP/Hockey Operations Colin Campbell |
| 12 |
Hockey HOFer Wayne Gretzky |
| 13 |
Lightning VP & GM Steve Yzerman |
| 14 |
Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz |
| 15 |
NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood |
| 16 |
Coyotes GM John Chayka |
| 17 |
NBC hockey announcer Mike Emrick |
| 18 |
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville |
| 19 |
MLB President of Business & Media Bob Bowman |
| 20 |
Red Wings Exec VP & GM Ken Holland |
