- Bill Beacon CP in the Montreal Gazette: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman denies expansion talk and called the reports a “complete fabrication” and that he has issues that it would land them $1.4 billion ($350,000 per team) in expansion fees.
“The part of the story that I found particularly difficult is: suggesting that we would sell four franchises for $1.4 billion is way too low,” Bettman said. “It undervalues our franchises.”
Bettman on relocation.
“Nobody’s moving,” said Bettman. “And speculation to the contrary not only is wrong, it’s unfair to the team and their fans who are being speculated about.
“Our franchises have never been healthier. Our league, in terms of its economic footing, has never been healthier.”
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings RFA Danny DeKeyser doesn’t seem concerned that he still doesn’t have a contract done yet with training camp set to start on September 18th.
“I’m pretty confident,” DeKeyser said of his belief a contract will be worked out soon. “We haven’t talked in in about a week or two, but we’ll talk again here soon and hopefully get something worked out.”
- Hope Smoke: Red Wings GM Ken Holland: “When we couldn’t land 1 of the 5 or 6 D that we pursued we made the decision to re-sign Quincey” … “We tried to land some guys on D but for a variety of reasons they chose to go elsewhere” … “Since my situation has been settled Mike & I have been in different places. I saw him today for the first time since the draft” … “I’m going to sit down here with Mike in September. At the same time, Mike is a UFA in the summer…” “…He wants to make sure whatever decision he makes is the right one for him & I can’t blame him.” … “I’m hopeful we can get him signed, but certainly he’s in a great spot & he wants to make sure he’s making right decision”
