65 replies to this topic

[Wing Across The Pond]

Messier or Shanny are good shouts. Don't think Shanny would be offered it though, just something about him doesn't seem to fit as commish to me but Messier is pretty much perfect for it. As ogreslayer said though, it'll be that dude in the suit...

This is brought up a lot when it comes to replacing old Bettman. Being commissioner entails more than ust giving awkward stuttering interviews and handing over the cup to a new team each summer. It's a high demand position requiring an educational background in law and labor relations. I don't think any former player except maybe Ken Dryden could make a crack at it.

Thing is it only has to involve law and labour relations in terms of hockey. Any career player and coach/gm/league official could do it as they've lived it. Plus there will be advisors for that stuff. I think it'll be good to have a commish who can provide a much needed link between hockey talent (players, coaches, etc), and hockey businessmen. Think how much smoother negotiations with the NHLPA would be if a former player was commish?

[evilzyme]

Don Cherry, Messier, Lidas, Yzerman, The Great One, George Parros after this career just to name a few.



Guy failed at the cursive part this should not be enough reason, to can his ass once and for all. He is bad for the game, doesn't respect its integrity nor its employees.

I really love how Vancouver and we boo'ed the crap out of him during the Stanley Cup celebrations.

I think LA is the only recent time I remember him not getting his normal boo's during the receiving of the cup. Basically everyone just hates the jackoff.

[55fan]

I second Big Willie.

Lawyer? Check.
Knows hockey? Check.
Fighter? Check.
Knows the words to Itsy Bitsy Spider? Check.

Perfect man for the job.

[Rick D]

Scotty Bowman

I think the players, and owners would really respect him as a commish.

[cusimano_brothers]

Pierre McGuire. He knows more about hockey than anyone else in the world.
Don't believe me? Just ask him.

[Shoreline]

Sean Avery

Sidney Crosby

Julius Caesar

[VM1138]

You don't need to know hockey to run a league. It's a business proposition. I really don't think any former player (except for Ken Dryden, like someone said already) would be the next comissioner. It would likely be some CEO or other corporate head because of their expertise.

I know NHL profits have gone up under Bettman, but it's undermining the integrity of the league. At the very least we need a commissioner who can keep the league running every year. His labor relations are terrible.

[drwscc]

Most of the responses in this thread deserve Bud Selig as the new commish.

[irishock]

David Stern.


Not a bad thing really, he's the polar opposite of Bettman. Can you imagine very year the Wings, Leafs, Habs, Rangers and Bruins in the hunt for the Stanley Cup? It's better than seeing the Devils and the Coyotes as conference finalists.

[drwscc]

David Stern.


Not a bad thing really, he's the polar opposite of Bettman. Can you imagine very year the Wings, Leafs, Habs, Rangers and Bruins in the hunt for the Stanley Cup? It's better than seeing the Devils and the Coyotes as conference finalists.

Yep, God forbid that the teams that earn their way to the finals be allowed to play due to their markets. Much better for the fans in Edmonton or Calgary to know their team has no chance to win due to being in smaller markets.

[amato]

Maybe they could do some sort of commissioner/vice-commissioner type of thing..? Have someone who knows the law/business/politics/whatever be commish then have a very knowledgable former player as vice-commish..

Idk, just an idea.

[wingslogo19]

Anyone other than uncle Gary

[dirtydangles]

All I care about is that it was a former player or GM or somebody involved in the game. Somebody needs to care about the sport itself when all the money talks are being thrown around. I'm not saying that this person should side with the players at all, its just somebody to remind the owners what is realistically an option when negotiating with the players.

[Z Winged Dangler]

You don't need to know hockey to run a league. It's a business proposition. I really don't think any former player (except for Ken Dryden, like someone said already) would be the next comissioner. It would likely be some CEO or other corporate head because of their expertise.

I know NHL profits have gone up under Bettman, but it's undermining the integrity of the league. At the very least we need a commissioner who can keep the league running every year. His labor relations are terrible.

I strongly disagree with the bolded part. I believe that if you're going to run a sport then it should be something that you actually know. You shouldn't be in charge of rule changes and such things unless you've actually played the game and know WHY changes need to be made. Coaches would be fine candidates as well. Someone like Scotty Bowman as mentioned would be good. My personal favorite from my list prior would be Messier. Either way, the league should be someone that the NHL, NHLPA and fans can all RESPECT.

I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your post though.

[dirtydangles]

I strongly disagree with the bolded part. I believe that if you're going to run a sport then it should be something that you actually know. You shouldn't be in charge of rule changes and such things unless you've actually played the game and know WHY changes need to be made. Coaches would be fine candidates as well. Someone like Scotty Bowman as mentioned would be good. My personal favorite from my list prior would be Messier. Either way, the league should be someone that the NHL, NHLPA and fans can all RESPECT.

I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your post though.

Ya I don't think a lot of people would boo scotty or mark out of respect during a cup presentation. you always get a few uneducated assholes though.

[haroldsnepsts]

It seems like Bettman has good business acumen. Not everything has been a success but the league's revenue has greatly increased each year.

They just need someone who can speak publicly without coming off like a condescending ass and is more of a diplomat. Instead Bettman never hesitates to tell the fans how we feel about the game, to take a shot at the NHLPA whenever possible, and to threaten lockout every time a CBA expires.

His job isn't just about legalities and business management. He is supposed to get 30 owners, some of them well documented idiots, to generally agree and work in the best interest of the league. That's where he fails pretty regularly.

[Johnz96]

I hope he gets a terrible disease soon

[T-Ruff]

The owners love him and he's doing a great job for them increasing the value of the league so much over the past bunch of years so he isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

That said, I think Burke's refusal to sign long term contracts and stuff like that is an indication that he wants a clean record because he wants to be commissioner one day.

[Z Winged Dangler]

I hope he gets a terrible disease soon

As horrible as it is, I liked this.

[Crymson]

It'll be this guy: