The commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, indicated on Friday that he plans to meet with one or more representatives of the government of Quebec in January regarding the possible return of the circuit to the Old Capital.
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The big league boss held a media availability with his right-hand man Bill Daly after day two of the Governors’ Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. He spoke about several files with the media, including that of Quebec.
“There’s a meeting scheduled, but I don’t know the details of what they want to talk to me about. I am always happy when a political leader wants to meet me, ”declared the commissioner, in the words of the journalist Stéphane Cadorette, of the“ Journal de Québec ”.
However, his speech risks being interpreted in different ways by supporters wishing for the rebirth of the Nordics. Certainly, he opened a door by agreeing to speak to the government of Prime Minister François Legault, who mandated the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, to promote the plan to return the NHL to Quebec. On the other hand, he wanted to rule out certain scenarios that could lead to this outcome.
“As we speak now, we are not planning to expand,” he told media.
Also, Bettman does not expect the Arizona Coyotes to relocate anytime soon, although they do not know where they will play in 2022-23 and despite their entanglement with the Municipality of Glendale, which threatened to deny them access to the Gila River Arena before payment of debts.
“There is no problem with the Coyotes. It is clear that the City has an agenda or a ploy in mind to negotiate with them, considered the commissioner, adding that the non-payment of taxes and the rent of the arena was the result of a lack of communication. Do not create trouble where there is none. ”