Quote:
Originally Posted by thefoss1957
Hockey Fan...call me a cynic, but, I really don't think that the NHL Owners, or Bettman, had Canadian teams' well being on the front burner, as they repeatedly tried to sink the NHLPA.
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The Union would have been entirely satisfied if the small market Canadian teams were moved to bigger US markets.
Ed Snider and some of the big team owners in Gary's first lockout, basically backstabbed the rest of the teams and side negotiated with the union while saying F the small market.
Bettman has done more to save Canadian teams then people give him credit for. The Canadian Equalization fund allowed Edmonton and Calgary to stay. Cost certainty and the salary cap and revenue sharing allowed Winnipeg to come back to the league even though their building really isn't an NHL building.
Bettman crushing the union and forcing Goodenov out and then crushing them again allows us to enjoy NHL hockey here instead of cheering for the rivalry between the San Diego Gulls and the Seattle Software. He kicked the chairs out from under the large market owners and strangled their power grip on the fate of the small market teams.
You go Gary. Best commissioner that the NHL has ever had and one of the better pro league commissioners.