The NHL commissioner's words out of yesterday's board of governors meeting in New York pertaining to Jim Balsillie's attempted purchase of the Nashville Predators and relocation to Hamilton were a prime example of Bettman baloney.

Example A: "I'm not exactly sure why people are focused on the Nashville Predators being anywhere other than Nashville at this point in time."

Well, golly gee, Gary, could it be that the team's attendance sucked huge last season despite a 110-point performance and the current owner, Craig Leipold, activated a clause last week notifying the city of plans to break the lease if attendance is lousy again?

Could that possibly be it, Mr. Commissioner?

Only Wayne Gretzky himself was openly discussing yesterday the slam-dunk success the Predators would be in Hamilton in a U.S. talk show interview.

"If the franchise is able to move into that area, it'll be tremendously successful," said Gretzky. "We all know that." Well, everybody except Bettman, apparently. Source...