Changes to the replay policy will be discussed at meetings in Vancouver next monthGETTY IMAGES
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was "particularly forthcoming on the hot-button issue of video replay during his annual state of the union address before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, acknowledging that changes are needed," according to Chris Johnston of SPORTSNET.ca. Those potential changes will be "examined at meetings of the Competition Committee and General Managers" in Vancouver next month prior to the NHL Draft, and it "certainly sounds like they could be implemented before next season." There is "probably no choice after the number of controversies" during the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring. Bettman said, “No one should doubt that we want to get it right. The fundamental question is the it; when to intervene and what are the instances that require doing so, and of course, how to do it without destroying the fabric and essential elements of our game" (SPORTSNET.ca, 5/27).
TIME FOR A CHANGE: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the CBA between the NHL and the NHL Officials’ Association "expires in September." TSN.ca's Frank Seravalli wrote that will be an "interesting aspect to keep in mind as this all unfolds this summer" (TSN.ca, 5/27). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont notes Bettman was asked yesterday "how he felt" when a handpass violation against the Blues went uncalled, leading directly to a game-ending goal by Sharks D Erik Karlsson in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Bettman said, “What I thought was, it would be good if I could keep my head from exploding" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/28). In St. Louis, Ben Frederickson writes Bettman's response was the "common-sense ownership" he "owed the Blues and their fans, the directness previous mush-mouthed apologies from various NHL officials lacked, the kind of talk pro sports leagues could use a lot more of in an era dominated by suits" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/28).
ESCROW NO-NO: Daly said that the NHL and NHLPA have "had discussions regarding each side’s option in September" to end the CBA in '20 and added that talks are "expected to continue this summer." In L.A., Helene Elliott notes the NHLPA "remains unhappy with the escrow system, which takes a bite of players’ salaries in order to maintain a 50-50 revenue balance between the league and players." NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr said, “It’s an irritant. We can fix escrow by cutting salaries. The players aren’t interested in doing that" (L.A. TIMES, 5/28).
GIRL TALK: THE HOCKEY NEWS' Ken Campbell noted the NHL "continues to remain non-committal on the issue of a professional women’s hockey league." Bettman said that the NHL is "not definitely committed to forming a league even if the existing" NWHL collapses. Bettman: “At this particular point in time, we’re letting the dust settle in terms of what’s ultimately going to happen with the remaining existing league and we’ve heard talk of another league being formed. Whether or not it’s appropriate for us to get involved with a league, at least starting our own league, is something that not everybody agrees on" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 5/27).
GLOBAL GAMES: Daly said that the NHL "won’t stage preseason games in China for a third consecutive year, citing concerns about being able to plan correctly as the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of the rise of communism there." The NHL continues to put down roots in China, which is hosting the '22 Beijing Games, but Bettman said that the league’s stance on Olympic participation "hasn’t changed after skipping" the '18 Pyeongchang Games (AP, 5/27).
THE BEAT GOES ON: Ticketmaster and the NHL are extending their longstanding deal for another 10 years. The league and Ticketmaster first became partners in ’07 and last extended their deal for the North American market in ’13. As part of the renewal to remain the official marketplace of the NHL, Ticketmaster will leverage its Presence digital technology in arenas starting next season. That also includes the use of new SafeTix anti-counterfeiting features. Ticketmaster also will have an expanded role around NHL tentpole events like the All-Star Game, Winter Classic and Stadium Series. Beyond the league itself, Ticketmaster has individual deals with 26 of 31 teams (Austin Karp, THE DAILY).
