{coyotes} Gary Bettman: 'Never any doubt' John Scott would be All-Star captain

 

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While it seemed highly questionable if fan-elected captain John Scott would indeed attend the NHL All-Star Game next week, league commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear Tuesday night that Scott's status was never in doubt.

Speaking to reporters at the San Jose Sharks' 25th anniversary celebration, Bettman made his first public comments about the ordeal that has captivated the hockey world since Scott was traded from the Arizona Coyotes to the Montreal Canadiens last week, potentially jeoporadizing his position as the Pacific Division captain.

"The fans spoke in large numbers for the process, and he's going to be joining us in Nashville," Bettman said, per CSN Bay Area. "There was never any doubt about that. Obviously the fans decided it was important to vote for him, and we respect that. Whether or not we need to make adjustments into the future and ensure that truly All-Star players are there is something we'll worry about after we go to Nashville."

Scott, 33, has compiled 11 points and 542 penalty minutes in 285 career NHL games. He was the top vote-getter among named All-Star captains, a group made up of Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin and Florida Panthers winger Jaromir Jagr. When Scott was shipped to Montreal on January 15 in a four-player trade, he was immediately assigned to the Habs' American Hockey League affiliate, leading some to question if moving Scott had been a ploy to keep him out of the All-Star festivities.

Bettman denied any such conspiracy.

"We had to evaluate the circumstances to make sure we weren't missing anything," Bettman said. "But the league never had to make a different decision (than to allow Scott to play) over the weekend. I know there was a lot of speculation about that. That was not true."

Regardless, the drama surrounding Scott's appointment almost certainly assures more changes will be made to not just the on-ice All-Star Game product, but the process by which players are nominated.

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