NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is not a fan of the current bye week format.
Speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan’s Prime Time Sports on Monday, Bettman said that the league has to try something different.
“I hear from a lot of coaches and a lot of managers and a lot of players that it takes them out of their routine,” Bettman told Bob McCown and John Shannon. “We’re going to try and do it differently to see if it makes a difference.”
The bye week was implemented at the start of this season as a way to give players a break. Players are currently off for a stretch of five days before returning to action.
Bettman said that he would like to have the bye week line up near the all-star game but not have the time off going straight into the event. He adds that he doesn’t want the NHL to be too dark for an extended period of time — which is part of the concern in going to the 2018 Olympics.
The NHL commissioner did say that half the league would be off at one time and the other half would be off together at a seperate time.
“We’re obligated from the Players Association to do it for another year, but I’m having trouble, unless this works out really well next season continuing it,” Bettman said.
Bettman also touched on issues surrounding the New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights and the Olympics. The full video is above.
[relatedlinks]