TAMPA, Fla. — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke to media assembled Saturday before the 2018 All-Star skills competition in his regular state of the league address.
Among the highlights, Bettman announced San Jose as host of the 2019 All-Star Weekend along with the sites for next season's international games and the participating teams. He then took questions from reporters on a variety of topics, including expansion rumors, the NHL's future at the Winter Olympics and the league's controversial goalie interference rules.
MORE: How the 2018 Olympics might've looked with NHL players
Bettman was flanked by deputy commissioner Bill Daly, who also answered questions.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways. The quotes below are from Bettman unless otherwise noted.
On the success of the Golden Knights impacting future expansion
"I have no doubt, going in reverse order, I have no doubt if there is going to be another expansion team they are going to insist on having the same expansion terms. I think that's crystal clear. I think (Vegas general manager) George McPhee did an outstanding job of using the rules. We knew the team would be better. The goal was to make the team competitive at its inception, and there is a great mix of talent that's bonded very well. It's clear they hired the right coach for the right time and the right group."
On the confusion about goaltender interference rules
"We just had a meeting, (league senior VP) Colin Campbell put it together with hockey operations, and there were a couple officials there and some coaches that happened to be in town, some general managers and guys who work with Colie in hockey operations. When you say a bit of confusion, that's right. Overall, the system works, but I think we've gotten to the point where everybody's overthinking the review.
"The intention, particularly on goaltender interference, is: 'Did you miss something?' 'Was there a glaring error?' Not, 'Can you search for something that might overturn the call?' And I think the consensus of the meeting, although Bill can jump in because I had to leave a little early: It's really more we need to give a refresher and we'll send a memo to the officials. Take a quick look, but don't search it to death.
"The presumption should be the call on the ice was good unless you have a good reason to overturn it, and you shouldn't have to search for a good reason."
On the viability of Nassau Coliseum to resume hosting Islanders games
"I actually went on a tour of this last week. There are a variety of things that have to be upgraded, whether it's the locker rooms and training facilities and the like. That's something we're in touch with the Islanders on. The Nassau Coliseum has been given a nice refresh in terms of the way it looks, but it's still the Nassau Coliseum. So anything that may or may not take place there certainly would have to be on a temporary basis."
On a timeline for Oak View Group to apply for an expansion franchise in Seattle
"Well, Vancouver says they're very excited about the possibility of having a geographic rival. The good people in Seattle who are in pursuit potentially of an expansion franchise have told us that they are working on the expansion application and they anticipate being ready to file it in the not-too-distant future. The timetable in terms of filing the expansion application, doing (a) season-ticket drive, is largely up to them. We can respond to the extent that we're getting the information we need on a timely basis, whatever that timetable is, so that we can go through the processes that we have."
On the NHL's participation in the 2022 Beijing Olympics and beyond
"I don't have an answer to that question. The fact is we find, the clubs find, the owners find that the Olympics are very disruptive on our season, and for that and a whole host of reasons we've been over repeatedly over the last year or so, it didn't make sense for us to attend. Could that circumstance change at some point in the future? I suppose so, but it's not something that we're currently contemplating."
On discussions about holding another World Cup of Hockey tournament
"That, like international games in China, is something that we need to do and seek to do in collaboration with the Players' Association. I think we'd all like to get another World Cup scheduled, because the last one in Toronto was so successful. But we've got lots of things that we're collaborating on, and sometimes they take time."
On the chances Quebec City gets an NHL franchise, via expansion or relocation
"We're not currently considering an application. I don't want to make any promises or definitive conclusions. But at the current time we're not focused on a team in Quebec City. I'm not saying that will never be our focus, but I don't want to make any promises that could be misconstrued."
On the possibility of realignment if Seattle is awarded the 32nd franchise
"We'd have a process to go through, if we're going to go through an expansion evaluation process, and that would be one of the factors, though based on the numbers and the geography, off the top of my head, that doesn't strike me as being one of the more complicated issues if expansion is going forward."
On the Coyotes' future in Glendale
"Ownership continues to work on the possibilities for a new arena. Ultimately the strength or resilience or persistence of a club depends on ownership's willingness to continue the pursuit, so my hope and expectation is that things can be worked out in Arizona, and we're going to continue to focus on it that way.
See, now that Carolina is no longer one that everybody is speculating is going to move — and as I told you, they weren't going to — I guess everybody is now going to see who they can focus on that. I'm not being critical. My only point is I wouldn't focus on Arizona moving right now or anytime soon, or maybe ever, so we're not misconstrued here."
