Bettman Talks Vegas In Pre All Star Game Presser

Remember the days when every time Gary Bettman spoke we got all excited hoping he would say something significant about the league’s expansion to Las Vegas? We’d pick apart every word trying to get a feel of if it was going to happen, and then when. Well now we’ve got our team, so these pressers are far less interesting, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Bettman touched on the Olympics, said Carolina is not moving, and claimed ads on jerseys were not in the works for the NHL. But he did have a few things to say about the league’s newest child.

Gary Bettman: “We think it would be a good idea at some point in the earlier days of the franchise to have an All-Star Game in Las Vegas.”

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 28, 2017

Bettman said Las Vegas is “doing very well” in its financial build-up to the 2017-18 season.

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 28, 2017

Bettman also said the expansion draft on June 21 will be televised. He wouldn’t say what format or what network, though safe to assume NHLN.

— Steve Carp (@stevecarprj) January 28, 2017

“We’re not focused on the Raiders.” Bettman on possible NFL move to Las Vegas

— Garret Cocchiarella (@G_Cocchiarella) January 28, 2017

Bettman also said he plans to attend Golden Knights’ home opener at T-Mobile Arena. Did not know what date will be.

— Steve Carp (@stevecarprj) January 28, 2017

Las Vegas will be able to start making player transactions around March 1, including trades related to expansion draft.

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 28, 2017

So there you have it. All Star Weekend is coming to Vegas…”in the earlier days” of the franchise. When does that mean? First five years? 10? Who knows?

Here’s to hoping the Stanley Cup makes a visit here “in the earlier days” as well.