The Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 and the Winnipeg Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996. And now an American has bought the Montreal Canadiens.
Hockey fans in Canada have reason to wonder if the National Hockey League eventually is going to become the All-American Hockey League.
No way, insisted NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman when the subject of relocation came up at his All-Star Game weekend news conference.
“I’m committed to the strong presence in Canada our six teams give us,” said Bettman. “Nobody should doubt this. We have no future plans to relocate.”
Canada’s more stringent tax laws and the weaker Canadian dollar have put the teams north of the border at a significant disadvantage in their attempt to compete financially with the 24 franchises in the U.S.
Bettman said he hopes to address the problem through “a long-term economic system and framework where all the teams are viable. At worst, we’re dealing with a short-term problem. It will be fixed.”
Concerning the sale of the Canadiens by Molson Inc. to U.S. ski resort and meat-packing magnate George Gillett, the commissioner said: “That franchise is not going anywhere. The Canadiens are not the Canadiens if they’re not in Montreal.”
Bettman pointed out that the $275 million transaction is a package deal that gives Gillett 80.1 percent ownership of the Canadiens and 100 percent ownership of the Molson Centre, where they play.
“The reason you buy the Montreal Canadiens and their building is because you want the Montreal Canadiens,” emphasized Bettman. “You’re buying an institution.”
Commissioner’s comments: According to Bettman, this season’s crackdown on slashing is making the NHL a safer place to play.
“Last year at this time there were 16 slashes that cost teams 74 man-games in injuries,” he said. “This year we’ve had three slashes that cost teams two man-games.”
Regarding the two-referee format, Bettman said: “It’s a work in progress, but it’s headed in the right direction.”
The commissioner was asked his thoughts on making visors mandatory.
“There’s no easy answer,” he replied. “This is one complicated issue, and the Players’ Association is insisting that it be left up to the discretion of the players. I do know that 21 percent of the players now are wearing visors versus 15 percent two years ago.
“Bones heal. Skin heals. Eye injuries don’t heal.
“If I had a child playing in the NHL, I’d want him to have a visor.”
Who needs it? Dominik Hasek of the Buffalo Sabres, whose goaltending led the Czech Republic to the Olympic gold medal in 1998, thinks U.S. Olympic coach Herb Brooks had a good idea when he suggested last week that the NHL eliminate the All-Star Game next year.
By doing so, it wouid give teams more practice time for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
“I agree we should skip the All-Star Game,” said Hasek, who played in his fifth All-Star Game on Sunday when he was the starting goalie for the World team. “It would make it a little easier for the teams to get ready.”
But Bettman is committed to having an All-Star Game in 2002.
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“We’ve given no consideration whatsoever to changing the schedule,” he said. “Herb Brooks is a great coach, [but] I don’t think he understands the [NHL] logistics. There’s plenty of time in the first round for players to get used to playing in the tournament. We’ve worked long and hard to set up a format for all involved. We weren’t going to go if we couldn’t get it done.”
The pre-Olympic format that Bettman referred to calls for all 30 NHL teams to play on Feb. 13, 2002. Players will leave immediately after the games to join their respective national teams for practice the following afternoon, and Olympic play will begin Feb. 15.
The gold medal game is scheduled for Feb. 24 and the NHL season will resume Feb. 26.
Bettman added that “we may do something more exotic with the All-Star Game next year” because of its proximity to the Olympics. “It’s safe to say we’re not going back to East-West next year,” he said.
End is near: Hasek hasn’t decided if this will be the last season of his distinguished career. “Right now I don’t know about it,” said the 36-year-old goalie. “After the last game I will make some decisions. I want to play at the same level as four years ago.
“Physically, I feel very good–much better than last year when I had the problem with my groin [and played in only 35 games]. But I’m very disappointed with my numbers. My numbers aren’t as good as they used to be.”
Hasek has an 18-17-4 record, a 2.31 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.
In Hasek’s opinion, it will be much harder for the Czech Republic to win the gold medal in Salt Lake City than it was in Nagano, Japan.
“To repeat always is harder than the first time, and the games being here will give the Canadians and the Americans a better chance,” he said.