{coyotes} Bettman says concussions are down in NHL

The Marshall Mathers LP2 - Eminem

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Gary Bettman says concussions are down in the NHL this season, but the commissioner wouldn’t reveal how much.

The league has data that shows concussions are down from last year to this one but declined to reveal any numbers, preferring to wait until the end of the season to possibly do that.

Bettman and the NHL have a precedent of showing concussion statistics at the March general managers meeting.

He added that he would consider the decline "significant" and "healthy."

Bettman said he didn’t remember exactly if concussions were down in the 2013 lockout-shortened season from 2011-12.

Speaking at the end of the GMs meeting at Boca Beach Club, Bettman reiterated what Bill Daly said — that Pierre Karl Peladeau’s political endeavours do not affect the NHL.

Peladeau, the former president and CEO of media giant Quebecor and a prospective owner for an NHL team in Quebec City, recently announced he would run as a candidate in the Quebec provincial election for the sovereigntist Parti Quebecois.

Bettman was careful to point out what he has said repeatedly — that the league does not have any formal expansion process ongoing.

One thing in Canada that does affect the league moving forward is the falling value of the loonie.

After a projection of just over US$71 million presented at December’s board of governors meeting, Bettman said next year’s salary cap could be roughly $1 million to $2 million short of that.

Bettman also addressed the league reducing the punishment on the New Jersey Devils for attempted cap circumvention with the 2010 contract of Ilya Kovalchuk, from taking away a first-round pick to making the team draft 30th.

He said certain circumstances — potentially Kovalchuk leaving for the KHL and Josh Harris and new owners taking over — made him comfortable with changing the penalties originally handed out almost four years ago.

The Marshall Mathers LP2 - Eminem

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html