Gary Bettman Key Quotations

We're delighted to have XM as our newest satellite radio partner. At this exciting time in the league's history, a new partnership with XM allows us to offer hockey fans unprecedented NHL coverage on the nation's largest satellite radio service.

We're delighted to have XM as our newest satellite radio partner, ... At this exciting time in the league's history, a new partnership with XM allows us to offer hockey fans unprecedented NHL coverage on the nation's largest satellite radio service.

Our economics are not baseball's economics. Our game is not baseball's game. Our owners are not baseball's owners, with one or two exceptions. Our union is not baseball's union. What we do has to be crafted and suited to address hockey, to address the NHL, to address our 30 teams and our 700-plus players.

The Canadian franchises and Canada as a market for NHL hockey has always been a priority for us.

When you take off that sweater, your jersey, after today's game, you will be the last player in the NHL to ever wear 99. You have always been and you will always be 'The Great One,' and there will never be another.

We profoundly regret the suffering this has caused our fans, our business partners and the thousands of people who depend on our industry for their livelihoods. If you want to know how I feel, I'll summarize it in one word - terrible.

As we grieve the passing of John McMullen, we celebrate his life of extraordinary accomplishment and the formidable contribution he made to the success of the National Hockey League, ... His foresight brought a franchise to New Jersey and his fervent support helped build the Devils into champions. Our deepest condolences go to his family and to the Devils' organization, which has lost its cherished patriarch.

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.

Dallas is not only a great sports town, it has become a great hockey town. This is a franchise that has excelled both on and off the ice, a franchise that has made its own traditions.

Dallas is not only a great sports town, it has become a great hockey town.

His achievements further cement the Hull family legacy of hockey greatness.

We go to the Olympics because it's part of our partnership with the players. This was very important to the players. It's not without its issues, but on balance I think it's a good thing to do. It will enhance the hockey tournament.

Over the years, thousands of great NHL moments were presented to our fans through the lenses of ESPN cameras. ESPN was a supportive partner, and both the National Hockey League and ESPN enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. We wish ESPN continued success.

His ability to face adversity earned him respect. His dedication to hockey ... earned him the enduring appreciation and thanks of everyone associated with the game.

To use a hockey analogy, for the first time in a long while, the NHL has momentum. I'm determined to see us build upon it and grow this great game,

It will allow hockey fans to see a whole new game and get closer to hockey than ever before. This is so cool. We're really looking forward to it.

For me, I prefer to stay in the moment. I'm not looking for a fight. I'm looking for a solution to the economic issues confronting our game. Idle threats will not address these issues. We have a year remaining on the current collective bargaining agreement and, used properly, that is more than ample time in which to negotiate a new agreement. The National Hockey League has been prepared and remains prepared to begin formal collective bargaining negotiations on a moment's notice.

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.

There is no way to measure accurately the number of lives Roger Neilson touched, inside and outside the hockey world, during his lifetime of devotion to our game.

The National Hockey League will miss Brett's skill, his scoring touch and his fun-loving attitude,

The National Hockey League will miss Brett's skill, his scoring touch, and his fun-loving attitude. He was a splendid athlete, a passionate player, and someone who never hesitated to speak his mind. His achievements further cement the Hull family legacy of hockey greatness.

Mario's exceptional play earned him accolades. His ability to face adversity earned him respect. His devotion to Pittsburgh and the Penguins earned him admiration. His dedication to hockey -- at both the NHL and international levels -- earned him the enduring appreciation and thanks of everyone associated with the game. We celebrate his playing career and wish him the best in the future.

Clearly, our league and our game have undergone tremendous change. The 2005-06 season is still young, but everyone from casual fans to expert commentators like many of you here today concurs that NHL hockey has been reinvigorated,

I don't really think anybody thought there wouldn't be a positive test. But, I am told by the International Ice Hockey Federation that there were 150-to-200 tests last fall and this was the only positive. At this point, the record is clear that this is not a big problem throughout the league. But, we're going to continue with our testing plan.