Bluelines: Gary Bettman Approaches 30 Years as NHL Commissioner

Stan Fischler shares his thoughts on Gary Bettman ahead of his 30th anniversary of becoming the NHL commissioner on Feb. 1.

Next Tuesday, a New York City kid who made good will celebrate his 30th anniversary since taking office. Big Apple natives, like me, are proud of him.

That man is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

It's hard to believe he's still there. I recall when, in 1993, nobody believed he'd last so long. Some said not even 15 years.

But the commish has survived – and thrived – through three decades for a reason. Gary Bettman has done more good for the game than all the previous presidents put together.

And that goes for Frank Calder, Red Dutton, Clarence Campbell, John Ziegler... everybody. And he's still riding high for a reason.

For 30 years, he's endlessly pleased some of the world's toughest businessmen – the NHL owners. They are Gary's bosses and could have fired him at any time.

They wouldn't dare because their franchises keep going up and up in value. If you're an owner, what's not to like?

"Thanks to the commissioner, we have a system whereby 32 teams are able to compete financially," Red Wings executive VP Jim Devellano recently told me. "And the NHL never has been healthier in that regard."

There were nasty labor battles and media types going after Bettman's tuchus from the get-go. They ripped him for this and that, but you still see him at his NHL office because we have the most robust league in its long history.

The union should love him. More players than ever have big league jobs and are making more dough than anyone could have conceived.

Devellano: "The most important and valuable thing the commissioner has done is to get a hard salary cap. He had to convince the owners to shut the business down a full year. No other sports league has had the balls to do it, and now, the NHL is in a good place."

Bettman was hired to grow the game, and the success rate gives him an A-plus. The so-called "non-traditional" markets such as Tampa Bay, Nashville and Carolina, just to name a few, have become hockey hotbeds. So will Arizona when the Tempe referendum is approved. And once the new Coyotes arena goes up, it will be Vegas and Seattle hockey boom towns all over again.

"Gary hit it out of the park with expansion to those two outstanding markets in Las Vegas and Seattle," added Devellano. "The NHL has more TV coverage of our games across many platforms and now is popular in the Deep South and western outposts. Mission accomplished."

At age 70 – and very much a family man – the commish easily could wave "sayonara" to his job. But he likes his gig or, as the very respected sports entrepreneur Joe Cohen once told me, "Gary can be commissioner as long as he wants."

He wants. He wants. And why shouldn't he? "I like my work," he has reiterated time and again right up to now."

The Bettman effect includes his ability to deal with any form of third degree.

Exhibit A was available prior to his watching the Canadiens-Bruins game at the Bell Centre last Tuesday night.

Confronted by a bilingual media mass, the commissioner immediately disarmed them by opening with this line: "I have no news to break." Nor did he. Then he went on to explain why he still likes his job.

"I'm here because I like coming to Montreal to watch games. This is a place that has great passion for hockey. The history and tradition here are unrivalled, and it's always fun to be here for a game."

That's the enthusiasm of a genuine fan. But the press had questions, and they don't fool around in Habtown. They hit him with all guns blazing, and he fired back, candidly addressing all topics.

And I do mean all. They ranged from the possibility of teams "tanking" to the Habs playing an outdoor game. Bettman nixed that because there's no adequate stadium for that in the Montreal vicinity.

Quebec City as a 33rd franchise always comes up, and – with a 32-team NHL – his answer made sense. "We're not in an expansion mode."

The reply that I especially loved was in response to the controversy surrounding video reviews for goalie interference, with coaches saying they're not clear on what the rule is anymore.

"People sometimes say they don't understand something,” Bettman said, "when they don't like the result. It's a judgment call. We're very comfortable with the way calls are made, particularly with video review."

Then, a pause: "You shouldn't be using the coaching challenge unless you're certain that a mistake was made – not that you'd like to see a different result."

Plus, he picked wisely within his high command. The very able deputy commissioner Bill Daly has been with Bettman for 27 years and is given wide powers by his trusting buddy.

Former colleagues who spent years working with Bettman invariably wax ecstatic about his virtues. One of them is Jessica Berman, now commissioner of the fast-growing National Women's Soccer League.

"I'm in awe of his ability to continue to serve as commissioner with such distinction," Berman told me. "Gary is loyal, thoughtful and absolutely committed to excellence in everything he does.

"The health of the NHL as a sports property, and the success of its 32 clubs across North America, is all the evidence you need to understand what Gary has done over the last 30 years."

Not surprisingly, he's had his critics, but they've had a pop-gun effect. What's there to kick about? The game is faster, more exciting, more artistic and more creative than at any time in history.

And with more superstars, including the latest Babe Ruth of Hockey, Connor McDavid, not to mention Auston Matthews, Patrice Bergeron, Adam Fox, Cale Makar, Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby... you get the point.

Bettman's batting average leads his counterparts in all the leagues, and, from my viewpoint, he's sharper than ever. I know from firsthand experience. Try this tale:

Several years ago, the commish and I were having lunch. In the middle of the meal, I beefed to Gary about the officiating. 

"Wait a minute," he said, and then pulled a white envelope out of his pocket while extracting a letter.

"I'm going to read this to you," he went on, "and then I want you to tell me who wrote it." So, he read it, and I instantly knew this was a powerful critique of officiating with an urgent demand for improvement. 

"Now, tell me who wrote it." he asserted. And I said, "Brian Burke."

Bettman shook his head, handed me the missive and pointed to the signature.

The letter was written in 1933, some 90 years ago, and signed by Lester Patrick, who then was the distinguished boss of the New York Rangers.

"You see," Gary Bettman chuckled, "nothing changes!"

Happy 30th, commissioner, and stay onside.