NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined Real Kyper and Bourne on Thursday to discuss a variety of topics.
Here's a look at some of the key areas covered.
Do low-tax states have an advantage?
This has been a hot topic in recent years with the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning winning four of the past five Stanley Cups in low-tax jurisdictions.
Bettman, however, pointed to another stat.
"If you look since the (salary) cap came into effect, the number of Stanley Cups won in California ... which has about as high a tax rate as anywhere in Canada, is the same number as has been won in Florida," he said. "I don't believe it is the issue some make it out to be. I don't believe that's the deciding factor in terms of where players want to go."
Is the Canadian dollar a concern for teams north of the border?
We all know the Canadian dollar is trading at some of its lowest levels in quite some time.
While that would seem to put the seven Canadian teams at a disadvantage, Bettman played it down.
"I don't think the Canadian dollar, based on the fact we do everything in U.S. dollars and we revenue-share in U.S. dollars, is an issue," he said. "I believe the Canadian clubs are able to compete as well as any of the U.S. clubs, including U.S. clubs in high-tax jurisdictions and low-tax jurisdictions. I know a Canadian club hasn't won the Cup in a long time, but i don't think that's the way we judge this. You really have to look at the full body of work over an entire season and what actually happens in the playoffs."
Should the league expand the playoffs?
While the NBA has gone to a play-in format to increase its post-season participation, Bettman doesn't want the NHL to go down the road.
"I think it would diminish the value of the playoffs, I think it would diminish the value of the regular season," he said. "Our regular season is incredibly meaningful. Two points in October or November can be the difference between a team making the playoffs or not."
Will a new CBA be signed this year?
That's the hope.
Bettman plans to start negotiating with NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh in early February. The current agreement expires in September 2026.
"I believe and I hope this will go smoothly and won't be a distraction to anybody and that we can get it done a year in advance," Bettman said. "That's my wish and I believe it's Marty's as well."
Is there any awkwardness with Ovechkin's record chase?
With Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, an obvious talking point has been about a player from Russia trying to record a historical feat at a time when the country's national teams are banned from competing in many sports.
Most sports, however, have let individual athletes continue competing.
"He plays for the Washington Capitals, as far as we're concerned. He's not playing for Russia ... It's a testament to him and the Capitals and that's what it's all about," Bettman said.
What will trigger expansion?
Bettman has four main things he looks for in expansion candidates.
"First and foremost, ownership, building, market and does it make the league stronger," Bettman said. "Among the people and groups and places we talk to, if someone can check all four boxes and make a compelling case, we'll tell them to come in and talk to us, we'll listen and evaluate. If I think it makes sense, we'll take it to the owners. But we're not there yet."
Could Arizona get back in?
"If in fact there's a building alternative that emerges, that would work at the professional level for us, if somebody's interested in owning a team there again, we'll have the conversation," Bettman said. "Until there's a building situation that makes sense, there's nothing to talk about."
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