Brendan Shanahan speaks to reporters during the annual fall meeting of the NHL's general managers, in Toronto, Nov.9, 2010. The NHL's board of governors thinks Shanahan is doing a bang-up job of enforcing player safety. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
December 10, 2013 - 1:28 PM
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - The NHL's board of governors thinks Brendan Shanahan is doing a bang-up job of enforcing player safety.
That was the sense commissioner Gary Bettman got from the room on the second and final day of meetings that included updates on player safety, the upcoming Sochi Olympics, hockey operations and the ongoing relationship with the Players' Association.
In light of Saturday night's game between the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, discipline and on-ice conduct are in the public spotlight. It was just one part of meeting but general managers expressed satisfaction over the state of discipline.
There have been 18 suspensions that have cost players at least one regular-season game this year. Shanahan said there was no rhyme or reason to the pattern of discipline from month to month.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly provided the board with a logistical update on Sochi, what to expect from the Olympics and during the NHL's break. Bettman said the governors were briefed on the league's discussions with the NHLPA about reviving the World Cup of Hockey but predictably did not have any new information to share.
Bettman said the NHL is getting plenty of interest from cities about franchises but insisted there were no plans for a formal expansion process.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013