Bettman: Stanley Teaches About Troubled Teams
01/06/2009 05:04
DETROIT - Gary Bettman doesn't have to look very far to find some evidence that the Phoenix Coyotes situation can be turned around.
The NHL commissioner noted during his annual address before the Stanley Cup final that both the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins were once struggling franchises.
The Penguins even filed for bankruptcy protection a decade ago in a situation that looked bleaker to him than what is currently playing out in Phoenix.
"Truth be told, it's probably fair to say that the Pittsburgh Penguins -- during their bankruptcy period -- were in worse shape," Bettman said Saturday before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. "Because they didn't even have at the time the prospect of a new building. And look at where they are today. ...
"We didn't walk out on Pittsburgh, we fought to fix their problems. We're fighting for Phoenix because of our covenant with the team and the fans there."
Not surprisingly, the Coyotes situation dominated the discussion during his press conference.
The commissioner went to great lengths to point out that he had no personal problem with Jim Balsillie, who is hoping to buy the NHL team and move it to Hamilton. Instead, Bettman said his main issue with the situation is that the team should only be allowed to relocate under the process laid out in league bylaws.
"From my standpoint, it's not personal," said Bettman. "It's about league rules and it's about doing the right thing in terms of the stability of this game and this league."
The commissioner pronounced it a "strong, solid season in all metrics that we measure."
Despite the current economic downturn, Bettman said the NHL experienced four per cent real revenue growth over the last year. He indicated that next season's salary cap will end up somewhere between US$54 million and its current spot at $56.7 million.
More from Canadian Press.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Once you understand that Gary Bettman is an American who does not like Canada or Canadian teams in the NHL, and that he is in denial about the plight of the Phoenix Coyotes as well as the current world economic situation, it all makes complete sense, folks.