Gary Bettman Players Quotations

We're seeing third-period lead changes and we are seeing players using their sticks for intended purpose of sticks, and that is to handle and to propel the puck - not as a tool for checking.

Now the team's ability to compete is based upon its hockey, front office and team-building skills, not on the team's ability to pay, ... We have emerged as partners with our players and our fans.

I have heard recent comments by the union and players who say they expect a work stoppage of anywhere from a season to a season and a half or even longer,

I thought that in light of the new era that we were ushering in, there would be no better indication of the fact that the players and the league are working together to move things forward that the best indication of that would be to have Ted here. And perhaps even more important, I thought it was important for the governors to hear what's on the players' mind.

Our clubs, our players and our fans want to take action, and they will do so together through their collections, through their donations and through the contributions generated by this special auction.

Our players play all year for their NHL teams. We, as an accommodation to the Olympics, take a break. We're going to go, but to the extent players are injured it becomes a very personal decision as to what the right thing to do is. And I don't think people should second-guess them.

Our member clubs, our officials, our players and our hockey operations people will face many challenges in the weeks and months ahead. My job is to make sure that everyone stays focused on the objective of fostering competitive NHL hockey that features flow, skill, speed, puck movement and skating.

We plan to do a lot of things in the community, grass-roots programs, events for people not necessarily coming to the game to get involved. The schedule is going to be elongated to give the players and the NHL an extra day ... It's an opportunity for us to celebrate our game in truly grand Texas fashion.

When owners are concerned about players playing in the Olympics when they're injured, that's a legitimate concern. From our standpoint and from our players' standpoint, our season is the most important (thing).

Yes, the Olympics are important. But players are in the middle of important careers. This is where they make their livelihood, and as much as we're happy to go to the Olympics, for us, the Stanley Cup's the most important thing.

The view is any team within that range can be competitive, unlike the $20 million to $80 million spread we had before. It enables each team to have the flexibility it needs with young players and returning players.

All of our proposals have been intended to create a framework where we're paying the players what we can afford to pay. ... We simply want to run the National Hockey League in a way where we're paying the players their fair share - namely, what we can afford.