Gary Bettman appears to walk back promise to Oilers fans
Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
As is often the case, when NHL Commissioner speaks, it's like listening to a well-seasoned politician, with much to be read between the lines. This was certainly the case when he talked about Edmonton hosting an All-Star Game and NHL Draft.
NHL comish makes empty promises to Edmonton
The clip of Bettman making the implied promise was on March of 2017, when Rogers Place was still under construction.
"I believe we should have a draft here," Bettman said. "I believe we should have an All-Star game here; but I would like to see the Ice District here complete, because when we do that and we show off Edmonton to the world, I'd like it to be done."
Then, about one-year later, Gary Bettman spoke to the media before an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event, to talk about Rogers Place and the Ice District as it was being constructed.
"I don't know the exact number of years," Bettman said, once more referring to the All Sar game and Draft. "It's something we've been discussing with the Oilers. We want to show the Ice District off in its fully completed state."
Well, Rogers Place has been in its full completed state since September 8, 2016, almost ten years since the Commissioner said he'd love for the world to see Edmonton host the NHL events.
Of course, he hasn't delivered, despite the Oilers' success over the last many years.
The last time the City of Edmonton hosted an All-Star game was in 1989; the last draft was held in 1995. That's 35 and 30 years respectively. And it won't be this year either.
According to NHL.com>, the New York Islanders are scheduled to host All-Star Weekend in early February, as a kind of unofficial send-off for NHL players headed for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. The players would then leave from the New York area Feb. 7.
In the meantime, the City of Edmonton eagerly awaits to host the sought-after All-Star Game.
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JANVIER 9 | 376 ANSWERS Gary Bettman appears to walk back promise to Oilers fans Is an All-Star game and Draft in Edmonton past-due? | ||
| yes | 346 | 92 % |
| no | 30 | 8 % |
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