Truth & Rumors > NHL
The smartest guy in the room: Gary Bettman
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08:21 AM ET 10.08 | Question Gary Bettman's methods -- certainly, players and fans aren't shy about doing so these days -- but, in the eyes of many, you can't question his intelligence. Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke, who has the experience of being a Bettman employee, as the NHL's director of hockey operations from 1993 to 1998, and of sitting with him in governors' meetings, says he is the smartest man he's ever met. "When I worked for the league we would say about a guy, 'He's smart but he's not Bettman-smart,'" Burke said. Bettman is coming up on his 21st year as commissioner because he uses those smarts to keep the NHL's 30 owners and their lieutenants mostly headed in the same direction.
Brian Burke, Getty Images
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Comments (37) Add A Comment
The league has no support from the fan base. Any management team who establishes a lockout as a negotiation strategy loses from the start. In basketball, I sided with the owners, with hockey it's the other way around. I'm sure if you had sat down and negotiated towards a 50/50 split as a meaningful approach, then wrapped some rules around that, we'd be playing hockey right now. You will be hard pressed to get your fans back now. It will be a long time before this one is forgotten.
Center Ice
Total Comments (4775)
The smartest guy in the room: Gary Bettman
This coming from the dumbest guy in the room?
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
"He's smart but he's not Bettman-smart"
I'll wait for it.
Otis B. Driftwood
Total Comments (30410)
The Leafs are "Burkey" smart!
Center Ice
Total Comments (4775)
They were the only ones in the room.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13361)
This is the type of thing we give thanks for Otis.
A whole day of definitions of "Buttgoblin Smart."
#1 - He can fool Burkie.
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
Enjoy.
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
Dear lord...imagine being in the room with the Irk and the Jerk. I'm not sold on the "smartest guy in the room" even if he's in there by himself. There has to be some bacteria on the floor that has more sense then the Dwarf. But then, consider the Irked source....
Kberg1970
Total Comments (386)
And Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends.
And Happy Columbus Day for all our American friends.
Kberg1970
Total Comments (386)
Nice kberg
sounds like a Dr,. Seuss bookSwamp Dragon
Total Comments (13753)
only 77 shopping days till Christmas
Swamp Dragon
Total Comments (13753)
Exactly
NY Rangers
Total Comments (3669)
I'd like to think Burke isn't dumb enough to have actually said that but,,,,,,naaaaaah, he really is that stupid. My sympathies Leaf fans. :-(
Slapshot
Total Comments (8941)
That's tough....I know he's the most drunk guy in the room...but is he actually dumber than the Dwarf? Or a very close second?
Kberg1970
Total Comments (386)
Okay you're going to hear it here first......
I believe that Burkie will be the next NHL Commissioner.
If you thought I disliked the pompous prick now.....just wait.
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
Lmao my comment got deleted. Buck Furke and Buck Fettman.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
I've kinda figured this would happen for a long time now. I can't imagine him getting another GM job after the Leafs, and given his history with the higher ups at the league...
Uh oh.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
That thought is so repulsive that it should be deleted. No ............I didn't report it, but it made me sick!
Slapshot
Total Comments (8941)
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