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Gary Bettman was in Toronto on Wednesday, up to speed on the Maple Leafs-Canadiens rivalry, briefed on their home opener stats since 1917 and pleased to join the pre-game tribute to the late Habs star and Leafs president Ken Dryden, a fellow Cornell grad.
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So, matters pertaining to the Great White North dominated the NHL commissioner’s pre-game press conference with Toronto and Montreal writers:
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IS ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH THE LONG-DEBATED EXPANSION, SUCH AS A SECOND GTA TEAM OR QUEBEC CITY? WOULDN’T ANY EXPANSION MAKE BIG MONEY FOR OWNERS?
“We’re not focused on expansion anywhere. I’ve said this probably more than you want to hear. If there’s an applicant that can show us strong ownership and wherewithal, a suitable market, suitable arena and can make the league stronger, we’ll look into it.
“But we aren’t committed to the expansion process. People have expressed interest, but if somebody had (ticked all four boxes), I’d have taken it to the executive.
“I think our two most recent expansions (Vegas and Seattle) may have been the two most successful in any sport, (but) people tend to forget expansion is not really the money-making opportunity it’s perceived to be. You admit a new partner, you’re dividing national revenues. That has an economic consequence to it.”
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THE FRANCHISE EVALUATIONS JUST CAME OUT, THE LEAFS WERE LISTED FIRST
(That by the sports–business company Sportico, listed as worth $4.25 billion US) …
“They’re still under-valued in my opinion.”
WHAT PART OF YOU WANTS TO SEE A CANADIAN TEAM FINALLY WIN THE CUP – AFTER A 33 YEAR-WAIT – JUST TO CHANGE IT UP?
“I love all my children, my grandchildren and all my teams equally. The beauty of our competitive balance is anything can happen.”
HOW CLOSELY DOES THE LEAGUE LOOK AT CURRENT CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS AND POSSIBLE IMPACT ON LEAGUE BUSINESS?
“We follow it. When the (Trump) tariffs first came in, the first question I got from some owners was ‘this is going to be a problem, isn’t it?’ because Canadian clubs pay in U.S. dollars.
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“It only becomes a problem if the dollar drops and that will be more of a function of what happens to the Canadian economy. If you go back, and you can check my numbers, when the possibility of the tariffs were first announced, the Canadian dollar was 70 cents US, now it’s about 73.
“I’m aware of the conversations between the Prime Minister (Mark Carney) and the President. I’m aware (Trump) said he’s not the biggest fan, but he likes the game.
“But we monitor it because we view ourselves as important in both countries. If there are gaps to bridge, hopefully we can do that.”
HOW LONG MIGHT YOU CONTINUE ON THE JOB (at age 73 after 30-plus years)?
“I get very energized and excited for what I do. I love it and consider it an honour. We did a lot this year, the 4 Nations Face-Off, a new CBA. I’m not focused on when I should stop. The game’s in a good place. I love what I do, here tonight, in Florida last night, tomorrow night in Buffalo.
“(But) I do know age will catch up with everyone.”
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
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