NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: Las Vegas expansion ‘process is continuing’

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks at a news conference before the NHL All-Star hockey game skills competition Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.

In other news, Bettman said the 2017 All-Star Game would be played in Los Angeles, that no decision has been made regarding the NHL participating in the 2018 Olympics and that the league continues to consider expansion to Las Vegas and/or Quebec City.

Bettman, who appeared a bit annoyed by the subject, wouldn’t get into what was said to Scott but believes the league has done its part to make him feel comfortable this weeekend.

The topic of expansion was barely addressed at the NHL Board of Governors meeting Saturday morning, after it was discussed extensively in December.

“We’re going through an orderly process”, Bettman said. Both parties did have a discussion with the International Ice Hockey Federation two months ago, Bettman said, leaving questions related to the cost to transport and insure the players up to the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee. “I don’t think they’re struggling at all”, he said of the committee. “It can be no expansion, one team or two teams”, he said, reiterating that the methodical pace of the process is not indicative of any problems in that process.

Part of those profits has been an expansion to 30 teams from 26, with the potential for another couple teams on the horizon. “We’re not ready to make a decision”. “This is a very important decision”.

Daly, during a media scrum after Bettman’s news conference, was also asked about the league’s investigation of Patrick Kane for last summer’s alleged sexual assault in his hometown of Buffalo. “A lot of things have to be considered”. The league said earlier this week that the news of the NFL and the Oakland Raiders possibly coming to Las Vegas was not a factor in Foley’s expansion bid and has nothing to do with the NHL doing business in Las Vegas. “As things stand right now, there’s no prospect of an arena in greater Seattle”. The current collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players’ Association expires in 2022, the same year Bettman’s latest contract ends.

Bettman earned $9.6 million Dollars in compensation during the 2013-14 season, according to regulatory USA tax filings made by the National Hockey League.

“We talk and he keeps me posted as to what’s going on”, Foley said.

Bettman addressed John Scott’s inclusion as an All-Star after what initially was a joke candidacy in fan voting.