Gary Bettman Loves to Play the Villain

Picture Source: lenavet.ca

We all know that every time Gary Bettman is having to perform a public relations role at the Stanley Cup finals as well as at the NHL Entry Draft he gets booed.  It's not just a couple of people being angry at him, it's the entire arena.  If I remember correctly the only place that did not jeer him was in Los Angeles when they won their Cup.  I think if it was any other guy on any other day it would be pretty demoralizing knowing that you are hated by the majority of the league's fans.  I definitely would quit the job by the end of my first season if that were the case.

With that said, did you watch this seasons Entry Draft?  I noticed something different than the previous times he has had to face an arena full of hockey fans that hate his guts:  Gary Bettman loves being the villain.  Every time the fans booed his appearance at the podium in concerns to a trade he would give a wry smile and answer back to them: "You guys might want to listen to this one," was a reply he used for a couple times during the first round.  He didn't sound angry or even slightly annoyed, but defiant in tone.  If he does hate to be chirped everywhere he goes he certainly doesn't show it in person.

I really dislike the arrogance that comes out from him.  This is the man that has been in control of the NHL for three labor stoppages which included one lost season.  You would think that would be enough evidence against him to force him out of the job, but he's still here.  I'm just glad that his expansion experiment blew back in his face when the Atlanta Thrashers were entirely not viable as a franchise.  He obviously took the hint from the fans and allowed them to move to Canada where the team, now as the Winnipeg Jets, are a hot commodity with every game sold out.  He's still waiting for Phoenix to become a powerhouse team so he can tell everyone "I told you so!" for being adamant about keeping the Coyotes in the desert instead of moving them back to Winnipeg (pre-Atlanta) or Hamilton.

Honestly, I do not know whether he is good for the NHL or not.  He is definitely not a strong-arm man in terms of player discipline like Roger Goodell of the NFL, but he is a character that can be identified with our sport.  There is always plenty of discussion when his name is mentioned, but it is always negative discussion which is something the league does not need when it is trying to make a stronger presence in the American sports market.  I for one only want him to stay as long as the league keeps growing, but he really has a long way to go in gaining back the fan's respect.