[News] NHL has begun preparations for Gary Bettman's eventual retirement

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

Ahhhhh! We can make fun of people's tremors !!!!!! The outrage police should be showing up shortly.

It’s fine, the outrage over the “outrage police” police have pre-empted them. Thank goodness.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Press Level

I think a lot of the hate, for those of us old enough to remember, comes from the 90's. We went from an era where Canadian teams dominated (Habs, Oilers, Flames) to an era where Canadian teams could no longer be competitive, thanks to Bettman doing a really good job of growing the game in the U.S., and a really weak Canadian dollar. Quebec and Winnipeg lost their teams and Calgary and Edmonton almost lost theirs. Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa basically became farm teams for the larger markets for 10 years.



Was this all Bettman's fault? No. Did he do a good job fixing it in the 2000's? Yes. But once you hate someone for that long, it's hard to switch it off. Personally, when I look at his career as a whole, I think he has done an outstanding job.

Quite frankly I think those who are Canadian fans that genuinely hate him and think he's been an inadequate commish just lack business sense. They're viewing it exclusively through emotional lenses, rather than a pragmatic one. As mentioned, it could be a lot worse for Canada if it wasn't for what he pushed for. We may only have three teams in Canada today. The league as a whole would probably have a lot less teams also.

Boo him because it's fun tradition, but recognize that he's done a lot of good for the game that he'll be leaving it better than how he acquired it.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Who knows? That's the point. You say he failed to negotiate about them. I say it's equally possible he negotiated about them and made other, better choices in the give and take.

Or, the more likely option is that I know what issues have been important to me for a long time (Adam Fox in 2018 vs the last CBA in 2020 lol) and he has failed on those. I’m not sure why you are incapable of taking my posts at face value but there’s no point talking further with someone who’s head is buried in the sand.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Progressive in what ways? What else needs to change?
I am in favor of expanded playoffs which he is opposed to. I'm hoping that changes soon.

And I would strongly advocate for a complete ban on fighting.

Beyond that though - what else are we talking about?

Shutting down the league to do a 4 nations exhibition series? Lets do this before the season. Expand the regular season. More of a digital presence. Interactive league. Lots of things can change to make the game more enjoyable.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Expand the regular season? More games?

More of a digital presence? In what ways
Interactive league? What do you mean

That's a lot of just buzzwordy stuff.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Expand the regular season? More games?

More of a digital presence? In what ways
Interactive league? What do you mean

That's a lot of just buzzwordy stuff.

Need to expand the paradigm, dude. Think outside the box.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Or, the more likely option is that I know what issues have been important to me for a long time (Adam Fox in 2018 vs the last CBA in 2020 lol) and he has failed on those. I’m not sure why you are incapable of taking my posts at face value but there’s no point talking further with someone who’s head is buried in the sand.

The CBA easn't negotiated in 2020 - it was extended. It was negotiated in 2013 and set to expire in 2022. You think it shouldn't have been extended because of the NCAA rule?

Adam Fox was one of maybe 5 notable players that refused to sign. The fact that you have to reach for that clause as some sort of big failure suggests you are looking for reasons to criticize Bettman.

[Bonded]

I think they should cut the pre-season and regular season down and be done the playoffs end of May

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Expand the regular season? More games?

More of a digital presence? In what ways
Interactive league? What do you mean

That's a lot of just buzzwordy stuff.

Cut down the preseason games, and expand regular season by 2 games. Go back to 1-8 playoff format, and you can start the season earlier by ending preseason earlier and adding 2 regular season games instead.

The websites and stuff suck, stars are not promoted like other leagues. More premier matchups on Monday or Saturday if that is the day you want to be all in and have more games those days. If you want to do the Winter Festival game, have it be the only game and not at 1PM. Start games on TIME, if teams ar egoing to do these tirbutes and anthems and stuff have it start before the actualy start time. If the start time is 7:00PM the puck needs to be dropped by 7:03 the latest not 7:30 because you need all these pre game crap. No other sport does that.

[CroFlames]

A short season a la football would be awesome.

All games on Saturdays, with one matchup Wednesday night. 24 total regular season games and copy NFL playoff format. Cities bid to host the SCF.

Can you imagine the intensity of each and every game?

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The CBA easn't negotiated in 2020 - it was extended. It was negotiated in 2013 and set to expire in 2022. You think it shouldn't have been extended because of the NCAA rule?

Adam Fox was one of maybe 5 notable players that refused to sign. The fact that you have to reach for that clause as some sort of big failure suggests you are looking for reasons to criticize Bettman.

Exactly they opted not to negotiate for ALL the reasons I’ve mentioned not just NCAA, please try and stay with me here. You think I’m reaching meanwhile you ignored the other 80% of my list (not even including the lack of accountability of officials and recently rampant gambling advertisements). All while putting words in my mouth and telling me I should be grateful for all of the good things Bettman has done which you yourself admit you do not know.

That’s certainly a stance you’re taking, basically I’m seeing you call me wrong with literally nothing to prove your point.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Game management is something referees are taught from day 1.

It’s not a Bettman thing. It’s a hockey thing. It’s done to prevent fights at the end of games, not in the NHL, but in every other context that has no spotlight.

This is incorrect. It's done to keep games close and it isn't something refs are taught from day 1, I know a couple CHL refs who would dispute that. It absolutely was introduced by Bettman, Kerry Fraser has admitted as much.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

This is incorrect. It's done to keep games close and it isn't something refs are taught from day 1, I know a couple CHL refs who would dispute that. It absolutely was introduced by Bettman, Kerry Fraser has admitted as much.

He didn't go as far as to say Bettman. But it's certainly a factor in other leagues as well.

I do know that Bettman was critical of Fraser in some CTE emails. And CTE is one of the things that the league and Bettman should be held accountable for.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

You posted a nazi salute.

It wasn't even a Nazi salute. It was an awkward theatrical gesture to accompany the words, ‘My heart goes out to you.’ There are numerous photos of politicians of every party making the exact same gesture during speeches.

That said, turning a false accusation that Elon Musk is a Nazi into a false accusation that Gary Bettman is a Nazi? That's beyond twisted.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

It wasn't even a Nazi salute. It was an awkward theatrical gesture to accompany the words, ‘My heart goes out to you.’ There are numerous photos of politicians of every party making the exact same gesture during speeches.

That said, turning a false accusation that Elon Musk is a Nazi into a false accusation that Gary Bettman is a Nazi? That's beyond twisted.

Hmm....I gotta say...I'm disinclined to believe that.

There are many ways to mime that or, you could just say it and not bother with gestures at all.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Locke

Hmm....I gotta say...I'm disinclined to believe that.

If you'd seen the video with sound on, you would have to accept it as a fact. He said, ‘My heart goes out to you.’ He did not say, ‘Sieg heil,’ or any phrase with the word ‘heil’ in it.

Benjamin Netanyahu himself has since pointed out that Musk has been a staunch friend of the Jewish people for years. Accusing Musk of being a Nazi, or even of having Nazi sympathies, is nutso.

There are many ways to mime that or, you could just say it and not bother with gestures at all.

Sure. Elon Musk is a businessman, not a mime.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

If you'd seen the video with sound on, you would have to accept it as a fact. He said, ‘My heart goes out to you.’ He did not say, ‘Sieg heil,’ or any phrase with the word ‘heil’ in it.

Benjamin Netanyahu himself has since pointed out that Musk has been a staunch friend of the Jewish people for years. Accusing Musk of being a Nazi, or even of having Nazi sympathies, is nutso.



Sure. Elon Musk is a businessman, not a mime.

Why are you always posting political stuff on the FoI forum, Post it in the Off topic. please.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Why are you always posting political stuff on the FoI forum, Post it in the Off topic. please.

In the first place, I have done this two (2) times.

In the second place, I was responding to a post in this thread, so I replied in this thread. If you want to know who brought up this particular political issue, blame PaperBagger'14.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by dammage79

What was Alan Eagleson then? Other than a thief. Could have sworn he was the reason Bettman became the 1st commish.

Eagleson was the NHLPA executive director and definitely always 100% had the players' best interests in mind. Especially the pensioners.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Eagleson was the NHLPA executive director and definitely always 100% had the players' best interests in mind. Especially the pensioners.

Yup. He had their interests in his mind and their money in his pocket. Sterling guy.