NHL commissioner Gary Bettman used his traditional Stanley Cup final media availability to crow about growing revenues and TV ratings — fuel to increase the next rights fee contracts and boost revenues further — and brag that the game’s never been better.
And with the dramatic back-and-forth between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights in Game 1 of the final, it’s hard to claim he’s wrong.
It was also an occasion to unveil the format for next season’s All-Star weekend, which takes place on Long Island
after this year’s was postponed due to Olympics participation.
With the conference-vs.-conference format a thing of the past, the league will lean into the international theme again by holding a five-team, 10-game mini tournament of round-robin, 3-on-3 games. That means teams representing the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Finland…and then “the World,” which would include any Putin apologists and targets who are otherwise currently banned from international competition due to their country of origin.
Islanders News
- Isles business head Kelly Cheeseman calls the All-Star thing a “tentpole” event, notes that the building has now been open five(!) years. [NHL | Isles]
- As the Leafs coaching search continues, reportedly they have interviewed ex-Isles coaches Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette. [Dreger on Twitter]
- Who could or should be moved to clear up Islanders cap space? [THN]
Elsewhere
- After the Ehlers-fueled Canes burst out to a 2-0 lead in Game 1, Vegas came back and got the last goal in a back-and-forth classic. [NHL]
- Brandon Bussi was a revelation this season at age 27, now he’s patiently playing the part of loyal backup for Carolina. [NHL]
- Stan Fischler: It’s a “gentler” John Tortorella behind the Vegas bench. Sure. [NHL]
- Yes, Russians but not “Russia” can participate in the All-Star thing. Interestingly, they had polled players about the matter. [Sportsnet]
- Manny Malhotra has earned trust by coaching through highs and lows to win the Canucks job. [Sportsnet]
- And the Avalanche have graciously allowed Chris MacFarland to leave to become GM of the Predators, and closer to his family. [NHL]
- Brendan Gallagher knows his days in Montreal are done, and it hurts. [Sportsnet]
