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Bettman: No decision on expansion, but they’re listening

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the media regarding a variety of issues stemming from this week’s Board of Governors meetings, including his claim that expansion hasn’t been fully addressed.

Various outlets at least clarified one thing: it doesn’t look like any teams will be added for the 2014-15 season. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t discussions about future expansion, however.

“All we’re saying is we listen when somebody wants us to listen. That’s all,” Bettman said. “We’ve gone from people saying we should relocate to talk now of expansion. People need to slow down.”

Good luck with that.

Seattle-area network King TV’s Chris Daniels adds a note that Bettman said the league isn’t “ranking cities” regarding expansion, for what that’s worth. If nothing else, the NHL believes that franchises “have never been stronger.”

Expect a post regarding the league’s feelings about player safety soon, but here are a few other noteworthy takeaways from the meetings:


  • The Winnipeg Free Press’ Gary Lawless reports that Winnipeg will host an upcoming Heritage Classic, with 2016 being the most likely year.
  • TSN’s Darren Dreger breaks down how NHL teams struggling to hit the cap floor might get some help. There are enough numbers that some of us might need to sit down for a second after reading them (not naming names).
  • The league seems happy with PED testing, though there are discussions with the NHLPA about screening for HGH. They also appear pleased with the NHL’s mental health program (via Yahoo’s Nick Cotsonika).
  • Also via Cotsonika: the league claims it had people checking out venues at Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the general takeaway was that “it’s going to be great for hockey.”

So, in a nutshell, Bettman & Co. are painting an extremely positive picture about the league’s health ... it just might take a while before we find out if there will be a new “member” or two added to that big, happy family.

Cotsonika has an amusing Cliffs Notes version of the updates, too, if you’d rather not read so much:

Board of governors wrap-up: Canadian TV deal (woo-hoo!), lockout rebound (haw, haw!), expansion (wink, wink), everything else (great!).

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) December 10, 2013

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins