Gary Bettman takes credit for rise in NHL scoring, because of course he does
It has become tradition over the years for NHL fans to boo Gary Bettman any time he appears in front of them. Bettman has been commissioner since 1993 and has presided over 3 separate lockouts in those 29 years.
During Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche, Bettman made an appearance on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, during which time, he took credit for the rise in NHL scoring this season.
Bettman first attributed this season's scoring spike to the NHL's convoluted and restrictive hard salary cap. Somehow, an extremely flawed system put in place 17 years ago after the 2004-2005 lockout is a major factor when it comes to pucks going into the net.
-Bettman on the increase in the number of goals that have been scored this year
Speaking of the '04 Stanley Cup, the puck was in. Gelinas scored. Jarome Iginla's name should be on the Cup.. but I digress.
I'll concede that some rule changes have helped, but to say there have been "officiating crackdowns" is laughable. Sure, players aren't allowed to ski off their opponents anymore (unless that opponent is named Auston Matthews and the culprit is named Alex Killorn), but let's not act like NHL referees are anywhere near calling the rulebook, especially in the playoffs. Crackdown? I think not. This happens nearly every game in the post season. The NHL is the only major league in North America that doesn't protect its star players. Good job, Gary!
Allan Walsh, the extremely outspoken player agent who represents stars like Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Huberdeau and Max Pacioretty, took exception to Bettman's comments, calling out Bettman for his idea that a restrictive salary cap that limits players' (and by extension, their agents') earning potential, is the reason there's been an increase in scoring this season. When you put it that way, he really does have a point.
It seems more likely that because of the COVID-19 pause, the condensed schedule forced teams to either overwork their goalies or rely more heavily on their backups. The biggest change this year was a league wide drop in save %. It comes as no surprise that Bettman, being the weasel that he is, decided to take credit for himself. No mention of an increase in player skill or training, no mention of improved offensive systems from coaches or better player development from teams. No, its Gary Bettman's world, and we're all just living in it.
https://mobile.twitter.com/walsha/status/1540483658481487872?s=21&t=f8r-2zB_HDmLIHxsdxF_ig
