stevesboo23
12-01-2004, 07:05 AM
Bettman warns Alberta teams
NHL commissioner links cap to future of Oilers, Flames
http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=7cb70ad3-bd6a-4e56-841a-8cd45c6c4f4b
Star News Services
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
CREDIT: Canadian Press
QUESTION OF SURVIVAL: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says small-market teams like Calgary and Edmonton can't survive with a salary cap.
The Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames have no future if the league doesn't get a better deal with the players, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday.
He told reporters in Edmonton that a deal that gives parity to the league's 30 teams is essential for small-market clubs that can't afford to compete for players with the wealthier big market teams.
"Most franchises are doing better than they were, but franchises like this franchise and Calgary don't have a future if we don't fix this the right way," he said.
"Owners have had enough of this situation and we owe it to our fans to stabilize the franchises and to ensure that our franchises are competitive."
Bettman, who met with the 38-member Edmonton Oilers Investors Group before visiting Calgary Tuesday, said it isn't any fun for the fans of small-market teams that don't believe their teams have a chance at making the playoffs, let alone have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
In fact, Calgary came within one game of winning the Cup last season, losing to Tampa Bay in the final. Edmonton missed the playoffs but Forbes magazine said the Oilers ranked seventh in the league last season with operating income of $3.3 million US.
NHLPA RESPONSE
"What Gary Bettman failed to tell his audience in Edmonton was that the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames were among the most profitable teams in the NHL last year when the dollar averaged 74 cents (US) and they were operating under our recently expired CBA," said Ted Saskin, NHLPA senior director.
NHL commissioner links cap to future of Oilers, Flames
http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/sports/story.html?id=7cb70ad3-bd6a-4e56-841a-8cd45c6c4f4b
Star News Services
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
CREDIT: Canadian Press
QUESTION OF SURVIVAL: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says small-market teams like Calgary and Edmonton can't survive with a salary cap.
The Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames have no future if the league doesn't get a better deal with the players, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday.
He told reporters in Edmonton that a deal that gives parity to the league's 30 teams is essential for small-market clubs that can't afford to compete for players with the wealthier big market teams.
"Most franchises are doing better than they were, but franchises like this franchise and Calgary don't have a future if we don't fix this the right way," he said.
"Owners have had enough of this situation and we owe it to our fans to stabilize the franchises and to ensure that our franchises are competitive."
Bettman, who met with the 38-member Edmonton Oilers Investors Group before visiting Calgary Tuesday, said it isn't any fun for the fans of small-market teams that don't believe their teams have a chance at making the playoffs, let alone have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
In fact, Calgary came within one game of winning the Cup last season, losing to Tampa Bay in the final. Edmonton missed the playoffs but Forbes magazine said the Oilers ranked seventh in the league last season with operating income of $3.3 million US.
NHLPA RESPONSE
"What Gary Bettman failed to tell his audience in Edmonton was that the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames were among the most profitable teams in the NHL last year when the dollar averaged 74 cents (US) and they were operating under our recently expired CBA," said Ted Saskin, NHLPA senior director.