Gary Bettman Quotes
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The Canadian franchises and Canada as a market for NHL hockey has always been a priority for us.
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The relationship between concussions and the asserted clinical symptoms of C.T.E. remains unknown.
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We don't worry about the integrity of our game. I'm more focused on the atmosphere in the arena, and that's something we're comfortable with going forward.
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Our sport probably has the best history and tradition of being engaged in international competition.
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I think there's always a line between what is parody in good fun in chanting and what is intended to belittle certain segments of society.
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There are lots of come-from-behind wins, games getting tied in the last period, teams going on to win. That, I think, tells the best story. Whether or not some teams have more grit, better chemistry, or more luck or more skill, it's still within the parameters. I think that makes for great storytelling and great interest for our fans.
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On the issue of behavioral health and the like, the program we have in place has always been available to former players as well.
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Fighting is one of those things that gets tons of attention, far more than it deserves.
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Obviously, we're focused on the Winter Classic.
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I think it's fairly clear that playing hockey isn't the same as playing football.
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If you're thin-skinned, you don't belong doing what I do for a living.
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If the IOC would move the Olympic hockey tournament to the summer, that would be great. We'd be thrilled to have our players participate because then it doesn't affect our season.
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We don't want our players getting hurt.
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I never rule anything in or out; life can surprise you.
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The good news for us is the NHL has never been stronger, never been more popular, and that, I guess, has led to a lot of interest being expressed from a number of places, an interest in getting an expansion team, and Las Vegas happens to be one of those places.
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I think it's our job to create a culture and an environment where a gay player knows he is safe and welcome. If and when that happens, believe me - that person will have the full support of the commissioner's office.
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Let's put it this way: I would consider my skiing ability to be far superior to my skating ability. And, in fact, my 10-year-old grandson, who's a AAA squirt, can skate circles around me.
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At least two or three of the leagues in Europe over the last few months have said to us, 'We hope you go to the Olympics,' and I looked at them, and I said, 'Why?' and they go, 'Because if you don't send NHL players, we have to send our players, and that's way too disruptive to our season.'
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There is less fighting in the game than we had years ago. I mean, we penalize it.
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I think there needs some attention to be paid to what sport is going to represent to young people: should it be viewed in the competitive, team-oriented sense that it is now, or does it become a vehicle for betting, which may, in effect, change the atmosphere in the stadiums and the arenas?
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We'll have clinics and educational events and conferences to get more and more young players developing as hockey players.
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I think that when somebody loses a bet, they tend to sometimes confuse their motives in rooting and enjoying the game because if you lose your bet, even though the team you're rooting for wins, you have a potentially conflicted outcome.
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Having to respond to things that are made up or untrue tends to be a waste of time.
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The fact is, I view part of what I do is, if necessary, on difficult issues, be the lightning rod.