NHL Commissioner Plays the Wide-Eyed Innocent

Gary Bettman says he was "set up" by the NHL Players' Association last weekend.

The NHL commissioner told WFAN radio in New York that Saturday's failed negotiating session was orchestrated by the players to make the league look bad.

NHLPA head Bob Goodenow released a statement refuting the charge. But no matter who you believe, to make the allegation in public is a cynical and inflammatory move by the commissioner.

With almost every public comment, Bettman adds support to a popular theory that the NHL is not interested in a true negotiation - by "true negotiation" I mean the creative search for a middle ground that nobody would love, but everybody could live with.

Until we see an agreement on paper, it's safe to assume the league's agenda includes only two options: shove a tailor-made deal down the players' throats or break the union altogether.

Set up? Whatever you say, Gary. It's not about the game, it's all about you, right?

Postscript: Further evidence of where "the good of the game" ranks on the NHL's list of priorities: A report says the league wants nothing to do with this spring's World Hockey Championship. NHL employees and executives will be forbidden from participating.

Update: The above report is untrue. The NHL has confirmed that NHL execs are free to work for their countries. After "due consideration" the league has decided to avoid yet another public relations disaster.