Bettman to meet with Jets owner for 'fireside chat'

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is "set to meet" today with Jets co-owner & Chair Mark Chipman, key sponsors and business leaders, members of the media and even some fans in a "fireside chat" prior to puck drop against the Blues at Canada Life Centre. Jets attendance has "taken a nose-dive" this season, which is "raising alarm bells within the league’s head office." Speculation and consternation "are running wild" in a market that has already lost the Jets once before "only to get a second chance." But Bettman "is not playing the role of the Grim Reaper" -- "at least not yet." His drop-in visit is "meant to bring a sense of urgency," but "we're nowhere near the point of no return." Fans will "likely not" get some kind of defined timeline from the commissioner, but "expect Bettman to deliver a fairly loud and clear message to the market" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 2/26).

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