Departure of Gary Bettman as head of the NHL: a verdict could be known by reading between the lines

PUBLICATION

David St-Jean
September 8, 2024 (12:29)

SHARE THIS STORY

The primary goal of Gary Bettman is to ensure that the NHL remains viable and that team owners make money, along with many other details.

When we look at what he has done over the past 30 years, it's hard to say it's a failure, especially with the ever-growing value of NHL franchises.

The criticism he faces is more about his adaptation to the NHL's new reality (modernizing the league) and his stubbornness on certain issues, such as the Arizona Coyotes situation.

However, as long as he is seen as the best person by the owners to make them money, he will stay in his position. According to agent Allan Walsh, who, by the way, strongly dislikes Gary Bettman, the new expansions will double the value of existing teams within three years.

"It's not a question of 'If?', it's a question of 'When?' in regards to the next NHL expansion process, and we'll see 34 teams. I predict that the price for each of the two new franchises will be $1.5 billion for the purchase of the franchise, which is more than double what Seattle had to pay in 2021." - Allan Walsh

Not only is this bad news for the return of the Nordiques, but it's also bad news for those hoping to see Gary Bettman leave.

According to Walsh, younger owners with new initiatives will increasingly take the reins. He also mentions that the two cities likely to get teams are Houston and Atlanta.

Source: Habsolument Fan
Allan Walsh prédit les deux prochaines expansions de la LNH et le prix à payer pour acheter leur franchise