EHM The Blue Line

Well, unfortuantely the recent speculation of Bettman being on shakey ground turns out to be based upon bad information as Buttman was actually given an extension after the lockout that extends his contract a year past when the current CBA expires which would be 2012 I think

So as much as I'd love to be able to gleefully post this image:



It doesn't seem to actually matter

Ugggh! Why oh why do they keep this fool. I can understand that many of the owners are happy that they have their salary cap but other than that the guy has run the sport into the ground. So is this 2012 date a deadline for him to kill the league? Is that when they're planning on folding by?

The league need a Hockey guy. Like a former player, coach or GM. Anybody but not a Basketball Lard Ass like Bettman.

A Gretzky or a Lemieux? A young Bowman? Don Cherry? (joke)

Yep, hockey needs a hockey guy! Sounds like an evidence, but it's still not the case

There's a huge need of someone who perfectly knows what hockey is and what hockey must be! Someone who knows how to devellop the image of a sport would be appreciated too, ie scheduling the all-star game at a right date, lowering the money asked to TV channels to have more TVs covering the NHL, especially in the US and in Europe, which would lead to more exposure, and so to more sales of merchandising and more people attending the games, etc etc etc

I just can't believe that hockey isn't that popular... It's a spectacular sport with speed, physic, tactic, technic, and a lot of action. It also have brilliant legends like Gretzky, Lemieux, and so many others. And we actually have a highly talented young generation, with Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Phaneuf, etc. In fact, the NHL has ALL the cards in hand to make it a succesfull and enjoy product... But they just fail to do so

Yeah! Cherry for Commish! Ban visors and kick the Euros out of the league!

holydogg wrote:The league need a Hockey guy. Like a former player, coach or GM. Anybody but not a Basketball Lard Ass like Bettman.

A Gretzky or a Lemieux? A young Bowman? Don Cherry? (joke)

Dual Commisioners and monthly PPV press conferences: Jeremy Roenick and Brett Hull

Unfortunately I think that both Lemieux and Gretzky have been ruled out as good executives with Gretz's "coaching" and Team Canada and Mario's inability to get something done for the Pens.

I'd love to see any of the recent retirees in the role though: Scott Stevens, Steve Yzerman, Keith Primeau or Ron Francis. I think any of the four would do an excellent job.

I'm also thinking that Gretzky and Lemieux wouldn't be right for the job because they'd be pushing for some of the same kind of things that Bettman had done. The "wussify-ing" of the league? That's got The Great One written all over it. Overall, a lot of the rule changes sound like things these guys would push for. I'm sure Mario would be all about the small market teams after his experiences in Pittsburgh.

I'm liking the guys you listed as suggestions but I wonder if they'd be any good on the business side of things. Maybe as a vice commish or something. Out of them, my picks would be Yzerman or Francis. I'd say we need someone with a business background that has been involved in hockey for quite some time. No, not Harry Sinden. I almost wonder about somebody like Lou Lamorello (sp?). He's run one of the more successful franchises over the last couple decades.

bruins72 wrote:I almost wonder about somebody like Lou Lamorello (sp?). He's run one of the more successful franchises over the last couple decades.

I agree, a seasoned and succesful GM would be a nice choice. Yzerman could be a nice pick too, and he will get some management exp. with Team Canada in the next months.

Why not the very good [at controverses] Patrick Roy!

Well, if we're looking for retired players, then...

Tie Domi for commissioner!

I'd really like to see Bowman run the league, but he's getting pretty old, I think hes like 74...He's been around forever and I think someone like him would be great, but with experience comes age.

Oh also he's a consultant for the Wings so I'd like to keep him with us

bruins72 wrote:Ugggh! Why oh why do they keep this fool. I can understand that many of the owners are happy that they have their salary cap but other than that the guy has run the sport into the ground. So is this 2012 date a deadline for him to kill the league? Is that when they're planning on folding by?

Yeah, the Mayans predicted Winter Solstice, 2012 would be Armageddon. Must be the day Bettman decides to use soccer-sized nets and eliminate even strength play.

On the bright side, The Hockey News can continue their entertaining cartoons bashing him.