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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Bettman Still Not Planning On Expanding NHL's Postseason Field

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "isn't keen" on the "continued expansion of the NHL's postseason beyond the typical 16 teams," according to Kaplan & Wyshynski of ESPN.com Bettman prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Final over the weekend said, "It will take a fair amount of convincing -- to me, at least -- that we are needing to be making a change. I think what we did this year is what we needed to do to be fair to the clubs on the bubble in terms of making the playoffs, and I think we did the right thing in that regard, but I'm not necessarily sure it's part of our future." Whatever the schedule for the upcoming season is, Bettman said that there is "going to be a sustained revenue hit to the league and its teams through next season." He explained, "While no one has any revenue coming in right now, owners are writing checks to cover overhead and expenses, our franchises will get through this and will come out stronger on the other side" (ESPN.com, 9/19). 

HOST WITH THE MOST: In Edmonton, Terry Jones wrote Bettman "couldn’t have been more effusive in his praise for Edmonton’s performance as Hub City." Bettman "promised the organizers the league would make available any resources they might wish for the return to the bubble to play host to a behind-closed-door" IIHF World Junior Championship. And he "definitely offered optimism that an NHL All-Star Game and NHL Draft, following this performance, could be expected sooner rather than later." Bettman said Oilers Owner Daryl Katz "made Edmonton and this spectacular facility the perfect choice, not only for our Western Conference playoffs but to serve as hosts for our conference finals and our Stanley Cup Final." He added, "I want to congratulate Daryl as well as [Chair] Bob Nicholson and [President of Business Operations & COO] Tom Anselmi and the entire organization for making the entire NHL feel at home. And a special thank you to the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney. Without his support we could not have brought our signature event to Edmonton" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 9/20). 

IF YOU CAN'T LAUGH AT YOURSELF? In L.A., Helene Elliott wrote without fans there will be "no one to uphold the tradition of booing" Bettman when he hands off the Cup. Elliott: "If he has a sense of humor he’d allow a recording of jeers to be played as he comes out to the ice" (L.A. TIMES, 9/19).

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