NHL's Gary Bettman cautious about remarks on Russian players
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke talk prior to Round 1 of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre on Thursday in Montreal. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
MONTREAL — Gary Bettman, a lawyer by training, is typically cautious in his public comments. That was particularly true on Thursday when the NHL commissioner was asked about the status of Russian players who went home this offseason.
“We probably don’t have the full story as to what’s going on in terms of what each player’s relationship is in Russia with respect to the government and we’re going to have to respect the process as to what goes on there,” Bettman said at Bell Centre before the first round of the two-day NHL Draft.
“I think it’s probably not a good idea for us or the clubs to get involved in the politics of what’s going on in Russia. And I think the players need to make sure that they’re comfortable in what they’re doing and where they are doing it.”
Bettman said he did not contemplate excluding Russian players from this year’s draft and denied a report that the NHL had advised its clubs not to draft Russians.
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin returned to Russia this offseason and it’s believed the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin went home as well.
Flyers goalie prospect Ivan Fedotov was arrested in Russia for allegedly evading mandatory military service and taken to an Arctic Circle military naval camp. The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov reportedly is wanted in Russia for allegedly buying a falsified military ID card. There is a general concern among NHL executives regarding Russian players being able to return to North America as that country’s conflict with Ukraine continues.
“We just want to make sure that we’re there for the guys, that they know they’re supported,” said Mathieu Schneider, the NHL Players’ Association’s special assistant to the executive director. “There’s no one that supports the war. I think our guys are in a very difficult position. A lot of guys still have family back in Russia.”
Added Bettman, “I don’t want to say anything that could be misconstrued or cause an inflammation of a sensitive situation.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
