NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made some bizarre comments about Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid while live on the air with Stephen A. Smith.
When Smith asked Bettman about Connor McDavid and his standing amongst the leagues best players, Bettman gave a bizarre answer, leaving many fans up in arms.
Question:
"Mr. Bettman, can you tell us what Connor McDavid represents for hockey, particularly today?"
Commissioner's response:
"He is a true star player. Most experts and fans believe he is the best player in the world, and he might well be... I believe he is the top scorer in the playoffs... [...]" - Gary Bettman, who also noted that the outcome of tonight's game is unpredictable.
The vagueness of these statements are appalling coming from the commissioner of the NHL. McDavid is easily the most talented player in the NHL today, and might the most skilled player ever to grace the ice in the NHL, so to insist that some «experts» may not believe he is #1 is ludicrous.
Saying that he «believes that McDavid is leading the playoffs in scoring» is also a shocking statement from Bettman. McDavid is having a historic Stanley Cup Playoffs, registering 42 points, the 4th most ALL TIME in the history of the NHL. Bettman's vagueness on the matter is frankly very upsetting.
Continuing on later in the interview Bettman makes a statement that has angered many Canadian fans.
"Particularly for our fans in the United States, it gives them an opportunity to see Connor McDavid, to see the intensity, and I think it's good for the sport because he plays in Edmonton, and because he plays in Edmonton, he is not as recognized in the United States as he might be, for example, in Canada."
It almost sounds like Gary Bettman wishes that McDavid played for a team in the United States, instead of being «stuck» playing in Edmonton for the Oilers.
Bettman's remarks have left many fans wondering about the future in the league for Canadian teams, and if Gary Bettman truly does prefer the American NHL market.
