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New York Rangers Daily Dose: Bettman, Quebec, Jagr

By Patrick Comia

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Welcome back to this edition of the New York Rangers Daily Dose.

Here are a few happenings in the world of the NHL today:

Gary Bettman, the business man– FOXBUSINESS.COM

Whether, you love him or hate him, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been good for the NHL. After 22 years of overseeing the sport, he seems to not be leaving anytime soon.

Feb 25, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media prior to the game between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, it is great to boo the head-honcho, but that doesn’t take away from the fact the game has been growing under his watch. Bettman has been tackling many issues during his tenure: the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout (fans are still recovering from that dark time), team expansion talk, financial questions regarding the salary cap, and so on.

Bettman’s been coy and misleading at times in answering those and others. However, he still remains and is making an effort to expand the game. Bettman’s brought the game into the present by negotiating tv broadcasting rights, team notoriety to the traditional non-hockey fan, and remaining open-minded to leaving the NHL doors open to the international stage.

In a walking interview with FOX Business, Bettman was touched on subjects such as the Arizona Coyote dilemma, hockey beards, and the game itself and reasons why it is unique and steeped in tradition.

Quebec City and the NHL, qui?- SI.COM

It’s been 20 years since Quebec City had a NHL team. In 1995, the Quebec Nordiques were relocated to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where the team was renamed to the Avalanche.

This stemmed from the financial problems the franchise faced and playing a mediocre brand of hockey from 1987-1992. The last three years, the team appeared to make a turn around, making the playoffs two out of those three years.

Nonethless, the team was plucked from the city with the uncertainty it may come back.

Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Hockey fans arrive before game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Well, fast forward to the present day, and Quebec City is awaiting the NHL’s return. Later in September of this year, the city will unveil a new, state-of-the-art arena which is designed with hockey in mind.

The building will come with all the bells and whistles, a fan could imagine. It will seat 18,000+ fans and will offer a different point of view when watching an event.

If the NHL ever needed a place to expand or relocate a franchise, Quebec City may have the answer.

Florida Panthers, 2016 Stanley Cup Champions per Jaromir Jagr– THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Mark it down on your calendars, folks. Lord Stanley will be taking in the rays of South Beach when it is hoisted by the Florida Panthers.

Well, not exactly.

Per present hockey great Jaromir Jagr’s twitter account (@68Jagr), he tweeted a picture of himself with his arms around Chicago Blackhawks players Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at an event. After congratulating Chicago on winning the Stanley Cup he added: “…2016 it’s our time-go Florida Panthers :)”

Have to admit that is a strecth. However, it’s never out of the realm of possibility. And coming from Jagr, you have to feel motivated if you are a Panthers teammate.

And that’s the news for today. Catch you all next time!

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