Gary Bettman’s Canadian corner doesn’t include another team

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Gary Bettman was in Toronto on Wednesday to keep up with the Maple Leafs-Canadiens rivalry, update them on the stats of the first home games since 1917 and was pleased to join the pre-game tribute to late Habs star and Leafs president Ken Dryden, a Cornell alumnus.

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So, questions regarding the Great White North dominated the NHL commissioner's pre-game press conference with reporters from Toronto and Montreal:

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IS ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH THE LONG DISCUSSED EXPANSIONS LIKE GTA TEAM TWO OR QUEBEC CITY? DOES ANY EXPANSION NOT BRING BIG MONEY TO THE OWNERS?

“We're not focused on expansion anywhere. I've said it probably more than you want to hear. If there's a contender that can show us strong ownership and facilities, the right market, the right arena and can make the league stronger, we'll look at it.”

“But we are not committed to the expansion process. People have expressed interest, but if someone had done it (checked all four boxes), I would have passed it on to the manager.

“I think our last two expansions (Vegas and Seattle) were probably the two most successful in any sport, (but) people tend to forget that expansion isn't really the money-making opportunity it's perceived to be. You take on a new partner, you share the national revenue. It has economic implications.”

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FRANCHISE RATINGS JUST COMED OUT, THE SHEET WAS FIRST ON THE LIST

(It is owned by sports business company Sportico, which is valued at US$4.25 billion)…

“In my opinion, they are still undervalued.”

WHAT PART OF YOU WANTS TEAM CANADIAN TO FINALLY WIN THE CUP – AFTER A 33 YEAR WAIT – JUST TO CHANGE IT?

“I love all my children, grandchildren and all my teams equally. The beauty of our competitive balance is that anything can happen.”

HOW CLOSELY DOES THE LEAGUE LOOK AT THE CURRENT CANADA-US RELATIONS AND THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON THE LEAGUE'S BUSINESS?

“We follow this. When (Trump's) tariffs were first introduced, the first question I got from some owners was, “This is going to be a problem, isn't it?” because Canadian clubs pay in US dollars.

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“It will only become an issue if the dollar falls, and that will depend more on what happens to the Canadian economy. If you go back and can check my numbers, when the possibility of tariffs was first announced, the Canadian dollar was worth 70 U.S. cents; it's now around 73.”

“I know of conversations between the Prime Minister (Mark Carney) and the President. I know (Trump) said he's not the biggest fan, but he likes the game.

“But we're keeping an eye on it because we think we're important in both countries. If there are gaps that need to be addressed, hopefully we can do it.”

HOW LONG CAN YOU CONTINUE WORKING (at 73 after 30+ years)?

“I'm very energized and excited about what I'm doing. I love it and I consider it an honor. We've done a lot this year, the Four Nations, the new CBA. I'm not focused on when I should stop. The game is in a good place. I love what I'm doing, here tonight, in Florida last night, tomorrow night in Buffalo.”

“(But) I know that age will catch up with everyone.”

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