Should Bettman resign?
by zephyr on Nov 23, 2009 3:37 PM EST
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PrintJim Boone just wrote an open letter to Gary Bettman asking for him to resign by Jan 1st.
What are your thoughts on Bettman? Is he doing a decent job? Should he resign? If he did resign who could step into the role and what would they need to change to perform better?
I don't think Bettman is amazing but I think he has sort of become every fans favorite scapegoat for anything that is wrong in the NHL.
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IMHO, hockey is hockey. It’s not football, certainly not basketball and not close to baseball in this country.
Hockey is all about tradition, and Bettman has not upheld tradition. HIs continued efforts to market the game like the NBA, – including supporting doomed southern teams – make me believe his time is up.
However, if his job is to make the owners happy….I guess he’s doing alright.
What would you have had him done differently when it comes to tradition? What should he do about Southern teams that may not be viable long term?
My problems with Bettman are more on an opinion level of how things should be. I know I don’t understand the business part about sports so I won’t opine on that, although I think contraction might help slightly.
I disagree with realignment. Rivalries became less emphasized (especially ours) and the NBA-style of player marketing helped take away from that. I don’t want to see Crosby as the league’s savior (or Ovechkin for that matter).
But I agree with many people here…it could be worse.
Talking about southern teams…San Jose, Dallas, Anaheim (I think), Tampa have all been successful. Have to look at those along with Phoenix, Florida, Atlanta, etc.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Tampa’s been utterly dysfunctional the past two seasons. The current ownership……..ugh.
San Jose should be applauded for building a winning team and a devoted fanbase, all without off-ice drama. One of Anaheim’s owners was just in some legal trouble, although I didn’t follow the story. But they have created a winning team, even if I hate their Burkeian style.
Dallas is a little different, imo, because they relocated, unlike the other three teams. They arrived in Dallas with competent management (mostly) and their young star in Mike Modano. They won right away. Of course, now their current ownership is having some problems having to do with poor real estate investments….we’ll see how this plays out.
Of course, we’ve all seen how equally dysfunctional “traditional hockey market” teams and their ownership can be. Sadly, it isn’t a “northern” thing or “southern” thing, but a hockey-wide thing.
And Atlanta has a great arena and is pulling in more fans than they have any business doing, considering how bad they’ve been. I wouldn’t write Atlanta off just yet. That city really could embrace a winner.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 24, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
Sadly, it isn’t a "northern" thing or "southern" thing, but a hockey-wide thing.
Exactly. This is why I hate the “Bettman is an idiot for the southern expansion” argument. People who make this argument tend to cherry-pick the bad southern teams with dysfunctional ownership and ignore the ones that have success. Likewise they ignore it when the traditional hockey markets like Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston or the Islanders struggle to get fans when their teams suck.
Unfortunately, outside of a few major markets teams will draw fans when they are good, and have empty buildings when they suck.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 24, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think SJS is a “southern team.”
I also think you aren’t giving DAL enough credit. They invested heavily in youth hockey when they got their, funded 4 local rinks, and made the local kids love hockey. The rest was organic growth. They are the model for a non-traditional franchise IMO.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
I don’t disagree that they did a ton for local youth hockey in Dallas. But I think its easier to move a functional organization and see success than have to build it from the ground up. (although its just as easy to relocate an organization and see it collapse because of poor leadership)
I think Dallas and San Jose (even if they aren’t southern, San Jose isn’t exactly “traditional”) have both shown that its possible to be successful in non-traditional markets as a relocation and as an expansion. But it take good leadership and hard work and a serious commitment to the local community. And I think far too often, 2 of those things, or even all three, are missing for a lot of clubs.
Plus… DC in the SOUTHeast division… and I think we’re technically higher in lattitude than SJS.
What year did we get chucked into the SE division?
San Jose is at 37 degrees, 20 minutes N. DC is 38 degrees, 53 minutes N.
1998 was the first year of the SE.
Bettman needs to hold on for a while. I need at least 10-15 years to build up my resume to the point where I can succeed him.
He’s definitely a scapegoat, but he’s earned it for the most part. He hasn’t been unadulterated evil but the way he has market and presented the game publicly has been disgraceful. In general his public demeanor rubs me the wrong way, and I hate his NBA roots, but I’d be able to overlook that stuff if he was making the game better/stronger. I think there have been 4 major things that have made the game better/stronger since Bettman took over. 1) More high skilled players. 2) The rule changes. 3) Exposing more fans in non-traditional markets to the games. 4) HDTV.
Bettman gets a lot of credit for 3 (though not full credit, a lot of it comes down to the individual owners). He gets some credit for the rule changes because he was the commissioner but I don’t think he was the driving force. I think that came from players, GMs and owners more than it did from Bettman.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
The problems of the NHL go much deeper than Bettman. Remember, these are the people that cannot institute a consistent disciplinary policy, among many other things.
Plus, you have some owners who, to put it politely, are a little shady.
And then there’s the NHLPA, which brings a whole new meaning to “dysfunctional players union.”
Throwing out Bettman is not going to magically fix the NHL.
Great point with the terrible owners. It’s not so much a problem with being in the south as it is a problem with having terrible owners in the south.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
Remember, these are the people that cannot institute a consistent disciplinary policy, among many other things.
For real. Brash didn’t deserve half the penalties he got last year. I think they’re recruiting linesmen from the LAPD
(1) The disciplinary policy she’s referring to is separate from the on-ice officiating.
(2) Linesmen don’t call penalties.
(3) Yeah, he did.
by David Getz on Nov 23, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
you’re right, I was referring to the Wheel O’ Justice, but the inability to get all the refs on something approaching the same page and keep them there for an entire game is a serious problem, too. And another problem Bettman doesn’t really have control over.
I figured you were talking as much :)
Although I’m sure some unspoken policy rolls from the top of the mountain down to the on ice officiating. But I’m not really sure who the refs report to. I take it they’re basically working for the NHL and aren’t union people?
Something must be going on, though. I mean… Is it just me or does the officiating seem to be completely whack this season compared to others? Not just saying this as a caps fan.. but calls (or lack thereof) against AND for us have had me scratching my head sometimes. I even remember Joe B commenting on it earlier in the season.
Although I’m sure some unspoken policy rolls from the top of the mountain down to the on ice officiating.
I’m not sure how to respond other than saying that I am sick of hearing comments like this. Despite all of the flack NHL refs get, overall they do a remarkable job compared to refs in other sports…like the NBA. Do I disagree with calls made or missed? Absolutely, but it’s not like they’re out there throwing the game intentionally.
I mean… Is it just me or does the officiating seem to be completely whack this season compared to others?
I’ve had fewer complaints this year than in others…but that’s just me. My two major complaints this year are the same in years past…1) It’s either a dive or a HHT…it can’t be both and 2) Whistles should still be blown while a team is SH.
I agree with most of this post, but not with your comment on dives. It is perfectly possible for someone to be hooked but also embellish the play and dive. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
However, I do agree with the sentiment that in those situations they should only call the dive, or at least make the dive a double minor. Something to make a bigger disincentive to diving.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 23, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly this – the incentive should be to stay on your skates and continue to the the play, not embellishing in hopes of getting a call.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 23, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
And all of the South American teams.
My huge gripe with soccer is watching people take a little bit of contact, roll around clutching appendages, faces contorted in agony until they get a call, then get up and jog off like nothing happened. It infuriates me.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 24, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Let us bury our differences, knee high, and unite ourselves by our passion for pointing out how pansy soccer players are.
I’m fine with dropping the differences, but you’re going to have to find someone else to passionately unite with. I’m not into bondage.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 24, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a shame. I was hoping you’d support my next handle: Bondrage and Submission.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 24, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I support awful puns no matter the form or interest. That’s getting a rec.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 24, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
These were almost funny the first 10 times you posted them and now they just aren’t.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Nov 25, 2009 12:41 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’m not sure how to respond other than saying that I am sick of hearing comments like this. Despite all of the flack NHL refs get,
Maybe you’re right. It’s probably one of those things people always think every single season.. then you look back at some of the stuff from years prior and think “WTF”. Hell.. I’m still pissed about some of the crappy calls (or lack of) on some of the stuff from Game 7 v the Flyers. They turned Huet into a ping pong ball and the refs just sat there.
There is one thing that I see though: sometimes a penalty in the 3rd isn’t one in the 1st, or vice versa. I don’t get that. Is it the refs consciously changing the way they call the game, or just my incorrect perception of the game?
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Does a new commissioner fix these types of problems? Wouldn’t they surround themselves with people who are of quality and can resolve these types of seemingly glaring issues?
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
I think it depends on the Commissioner selected. If its an “outside” guy, like Bettman, he’s probably more than likely to defer to the “experts” such as Colin Campbell and the rest. If its an inside guy, like Bud Selig (hold the groans) in baseball, then he might be more likely to attempt to clean house and install some new people. But to me, even more than baseball, hockey is very “clubby” and some of these guys have been in hockey for generations now (the Campbells, the Patricks, among others). I can’t imagine they’d be real inclined to let some new guy walk in and toss them out on the street.
The Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the owners. And the owners have been one of the problems in the past. They’re not going to hire a guy that is going to engineer a midnight coup and toss out the shady guys.
The article is beyond bizzare. “You should resign because Ken Dryden went out on top.” What?
The unspoken assumption in anything like this is that the NHL would replace him with someone better. But looks at the history of sports commissioners. Is that really so certain? I’d rather stay with the devil I know.
Bettman’s not actively ruining the league. Any damage he’s done (realignment, shootout), he’s already done. I don’t hear anything from him that I don’t like. The league is in very strong financial shape. And heading into the next CBA negotiation, I think it’s important to have at least one chief negotiator who’s held his job for more than a year or two.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
I agree. What Dryden did is irrelevant. The “growing groundswell developing among fans who want a new commissioner of their sport” is, well, not irrelevant, but much less relevant than a lot of people think. The only issue in play where is whether or not the league would be better off with someone else at the helm – and that’s not something I’m convinced of.
What’s happened to Bettman is the same thing that happens to most commissioners: he’s getting scapegoated by people who think the world’s a lot simpler than it actually is and are married to vague idea of what the game used to be.
The only issue in play where is whether or not the league would be better off with someone else at the helm – and that’s not something I’m convinced of.
This is the crux of it. I have a very hard time trusting NHL decisions. I don’t think they’re solution to head shots will be acceptable, and I’m less convinced they could replace Bettman without going backwards. Until I’m ready, that is.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
1) No matter how many times I blow it up, it always comes back with no adverse effects.
2) I manage a group of people with diverse educational and ethnic backgrounds.
3) Chainsaw hands.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 23, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hear the NHLPA is demanding that all player contracts be revised to include 1 Happy Cake Oven. How do you plan on addressing the issue?
The NHL owners are happy with Bettman. Why? Because he does what they tell him to do. He got the salary cap they demanded. Versus, the main target for fan ire, isn’t going to change as long as Comcast offers more guarenteed money than ESPN no matter who the commissioner is.
"No TV and no beer make Homer go something something."
Personally, I prefer to watch the games on a different channel:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nhl_signs_broadcast_deal_with_food
For those of you old enough to remember, have other commissioners (NHL or other major pro NA sport) been booed as much as Bettman? I actually feel for the guy, since every time he steps onto the ice he hears the boos and keeps a strained artificial smile. Then again, he only has himself to blame.
I guess his refusal to budge from what are until now failed expansions has a lot to do with it. Phoenix and Florida need competent owners, sure, but at some point you have to say “It’s been a nice 15 years, but these teams have lost hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Bud Selig isn’t exactly loved in baseball. Some of his “highlights” involve the contraction drama, the tied All Star game, the move to give the All Star game winner home field advantage in the world series, the MLB takeover of the Expos and subsequent move to DC, and the 1994-1995 strike that canceled the world series.
Selig is a moron
Doesn’t understand that the League is a two team league because those two teams are richer than everyone.
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Nov 28, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
My biggest issue with the NHL is, probably, the fact that the justice system of the NHL is completely inconsistent and not at all predictable. Getting rid of Bettman wouldn’t fix this, you’d have to get rid of disciplinary head Campbell (as far as I know/understand how the NHL higher ups’ responsibilities are divided).
Has Bettman been the best commissioner? No. But as many others have said, he hasn’t been the Satan incarnate, and I don’t know enough about the legal and business side of things, and enough about who’s available to replace him to say whether or not he should be gone. It would be a bigger mistake to get rid of him with nobody else in mind than to have him stay as captain of the ship, so to speak.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 24, 2009 9:37 PM EST reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
53 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 60 |
|
Florida
|
52 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 59 |
|
Winnipeg
|
55 | 25 | 24 | 6 | 56 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
52 | 23 | 24 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.9.2012 at 9:25 AM EST)
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