NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joined Real Kyper and Bourne Thursday to discuss various topics.
Here’s a look at some of the key areas covered.
Do low-tax states have an advantage?
This has been a hot topic in recent years, with the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning winning four of the last five Stanley Cups in low-tax jurisdictions.
Bettman pointed out another statistic, however.
“If you look since the (salary) cap came into effect, the number of Stanley Cups won in California…, where the tax rate is about as high as anywhere in Canada, is the same as won in Florida,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s the problem some people make it out to be. I don’t believe it’s the deciding factor as to where players want to go.”
Is the Canadian dollar a concern for teams north of the border?
We all know that the Canadian dollar is trading at some of its lowest levels in some time.
Although this seems to put the seven Canadian teams at a disadvantage, Bettman downplayed it.
“I don’t think the Canadian dollar, given that we do everything in U.S. dollars and we share our revenue in U.S. dollars, is a problem,” he said. “I believe Canadian clubs are capable of competing as well as any American club, including American clubs in high-tax jurisdictions and low-tax jurisdictions. I know a Canadian club hasn’t won the Cup in a long time, but I don’t think that’s the way we judge it. You really have to look at the body of work over an entire season and what actually happens in the playoffs.”
Should the league expand the playoffs?
Even though the NBA has adopted a play-in format to increase its playoff participation, Bettman doesn’t want the NHL to go that route.
“I think it would diminish the value of the playoffs, I think it would diminish the value of the regular season,” he said. “Our regular season is incredibly meaningful. Two points in October or November can be the difference between a team making the playoffs or not.”
Will a new collective agreement be signed this year?
Bettman plans to begin negotiations with NHLPA general manager Marty Walsh in early February. The current agreement expires in September 2026.
“I believe and hope that this will go well and not be a distraction to anyone and that we can do it a year in advance,” Bettman said. “That’s my wish and I believe it’s Marty’s too.”
Is there any embarrassment in Ovechkin’s record chase?
With Alex Ovechkin In pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goalscoring record, an obvious topic of discussion was a Russian player attempting to record a historic feat at a time when the country’s national teams are banned from competing in many sports.
However, most sports have allowed individual athletes to continue to compete.
“He plays for Washington Capitalsas far as we are concerned. He’s not playing for Russia…It’s a tribute to him and the Capitals and that’s what it’s all about,” Bettman said.
What will trigger the expansion?
Bettman looks for four main things in expansion candidates.
“First and foremost, the ownership, the construction, the market and does it make the league stronger,” Bettman said. “Of the people and groups and venues we’re talking to, if anyone can check all four boxes and make a compelling case, we’ll tell them to come talk to us, and we’ll listen to them and evaluate them. If I think it makes sense, we’ll present it to the owners. But we’re not there yet.”
Could Arizona come back?
“If indeed a construction alternative emerges that would work on a professional level for us, if anyone is interested in owning a team there again we will discuss it,” Bettman said. “As long as there is no sensible construction situation, there is nothing to say.”
