At the NHL Board of Governors meeting in Scottsdale,
AZ, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is "not in
any rush" to expand, according to the AP. Bettman: "There's
been a lot of speculation. Let's put that to rest. That's
not to say we won't expand at some point. We're just not in
any rush" (AP/N.Y. POST, 12/13). Bettman: "If there aren't
enough applicants that are good enough, then we won't do it
[expand]." In Toronto, Al Strachan notes, "Hard as it may
be to believe, there are strong indications that the [NHL]
actually is taking a sensible approach to expansion." In
hearing Bettman's comments, Strachan writes the NHL "will
not expand just for the sake of doing so or just because it
can make some quick money. That era is past." But he
notes "strong leanings towards" a four-team expansion for
the '98-99 season, with Atlanta and Houston two of the sites
(TORONTO SUN, 12/13). None of the 11 groups bidding for an
NHL team are at the meetings. Bettman: "We have discouraged
marching bands. Nobody's here lobbying. We told them not
to come" (TORONTO STAR, 12/13).
THE VISION THING: In Edmonton, Cam Cole writes, "Agree
with it or not, Gary Bettman has a vision for National
Hockey League expansion. ... Due diligence ... all in good
time." Oilers President Glen Sather, on Bettman: "He has a
plan. ... He's very thorough. There's no guess-work with
Bettman. He's not going to head off on a whim" (EDMONTON
JOURNAL, 12/13).