Cro-magnon Gary speaks! Bettman reacted rather angrily to questions about the pending move of the Predators from Nashville to Hamilton on Wednesday. Bettman offered this retort when queried about his statement that the Canadian billionaire reportedly said he intended to keep the Preds in the Music City: “When I made that statement, that’s what he had told me.” I’m guessing the VS. Network told him that the Stanley Cup Finals would break all kinds of ratings records too. The usually calm former NBA assistant may have had his feet held to the fire at the board of governors’ meeting held to discuss (ugh!) more rule changes. Could this be Bettman’s last blow, er…, bow? With a new chair at the helm and the league sinking fast, me thinks that change is in the air.

Post Update 06/07/07: Game 3 of SCF makes history! Lowest rated prime time broadcast in NBC history!
Now how you going to spin that one Gary?

Bettman has consistently maintained throughout the season that his deal with the obscure VS. channel has shown improved viewership of NHL hockey. Gary must be standing on his head when looking at the chart of viewership ratings. The Stanley Cup Finals are receiving 22% fewer viewers than last year’s Finals with a whopping 33% drop in the ratings for Game 2. Perhaps they might improve if Gary were to ride one of those bulls on that channel instead of giving us the bull about his “improvements”? Uh, owners? You can stop counting your fewer dollars now and start thinking about a replacement!