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LAKESIDE – I'm somewhat certain that a few of you may have just spit out your coffee or whatever you were drinking. Some of you may have sat up in your chairs a bit taller for a better view of your paper or screen, but let me explain this week's headline.

I wrote that "Bettman dislikes the Wild." Do I mean that literally? Not in total. I don't believe that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman hates Minnesota or the Wild. But after being an NHL and Gary Bettman apologist for the past several years I can hardly come to any conclusion other than I believe he at least holds some internal disdain there.  

I'll walk it back a bit. Bettman was elected as the first Commissioner in NHL history on December 12, 1992. At that point the state's first NHL team, the NorthStars, were in the middle of negotiations to find a new place to play in the Twin Cities since their former home, the Met Center, would soon be razed to make way for the biggest shopping mall in the universe. Bettman assumed office on February 1, 1992, and the negotiations between then-owner Norm Green and a few other parties had disintegrated to the point where Green had elected to vacate the Twin Cities. He announced his deal to leave for Dallas on March 10, 1993.  

You can bet your lunch money that this was likely Bettman's first exposure to the area in a business matter and that he probably wasn't too pleased that it was in trying to contain the damage and fallout from it. I shouldn't have to explain to you that hockey is a religion in these parts and the bulk of the state takes it pretty seriously.  

Perhaps that was strike one from his view. He was the new guy on the block and he had this unwanted mess dropped into his lap. The NorthStars would complete their exit and would eventually get settled in Dallas and even got some new digs to play in. The NHL became a dirty word here until news got out that expansion talks were under way in 1997 and that the late Bob Naegele, a successful businessman in the billboard industry ,wanted to get the league back here.  

I would presume that with a mandate to grow the game from the owners and with his being one of the smartest men in the sports business, Bettman knew the league had to return here. Bettman would successfully add the Predators in 1998. He would introduce Atlanta to the league in 1999 and then in 2000 the Wild and Columbus came on board. The Wild were an immediate hit in the state and that continues to this day, even at times when the team struggles on the ice. Minnesotans love their hockey.  

Enter current Wild owner Craig Leipold. He was the person who plunked down the $80 mil franchise fee in 1997 to be awarded the Nashville Preds club. As soon as the team began competition they were not drawing well and were losing money due to high operating costs.    

In May of 2007 Leipold reached a non-binding deal with Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie to sell the team. During negotiations Balsillie said he wouldn't move the team but then he re-upped on a major tenant deal for an arena in Hamilton, Ontario and even began to advertise for season ticket sales. This was done outside of normal league protocol and Leipold withdrew from the sale.  

Around this same time federal authorities had their eye on a Preds investor by the name of William Del Biaggio III for some alleged financial misdeeds. Del Biaggio III wasn't a principal owner of the club but negative news about him and his affiliation with the Preds drew a high volume of negative press. (He would eventually receive an 8-year prison sentence.)  

Leipold would soon get a successful sale of the Preds and in January of 2008 bought the Wild from Naegele. I want to tell you that Leipold is a first-class businessman and operates an above-board franchise. I am mentioning these "issues" because I feel as if Bettman looks at him as a pain in the posterior that has brought him and the league a lot of unnecessary problems. Perhaps at times he hasn't had the best judgment on some matters but believe me when I tell you the Wild are highly thought of and have an outstanding reputation in the state and within the NHL. They are outstanding citizens in the Twin Cities.  

So Leipold takes over and the team is an off-the-ice business success even if the club's playoff successes have been few. Bettman is growing the league as a business and is steadily increasing its revenues. That has been accompanied by various marketing and promotional vehicles designed to increase the league's profile in the U.S. He has also assisted in helping tighten the owner's business grips on the NHLPA through various CBA deals.  

In the meantime Minnesota hockey is going through the roof in popularity, with the Wild serving as a major partner in that. It has the richest hockey history in the U.S., has more players registered into USA Hockey and is the undisputed top hockey location in the country. Miracle on Ice anyone? Twelve players and the head coach.  

You wouldn't know that from observing the NHL though. Bettman and the NHL made the team wait 13 seasons before being awarded a Winter Classic New Year's Day game. I understand that the classic usually gets awarded to the bigger TV markets (Minneapolis IS 15th after all) but you made The State of Hockey wait like that? Seattle got one in their third season and played Vegas! (6th season)   

A strong majority of league and/or player promos rarely, if ever include the Wild. Their marketing tends to focus on the top five players in the show. While I get that, I'd point out that we have one of those now and you will see him on just about zero league marketing pieces.  

Maybe Leo and Minnesota have been the thumbtack on Bettman's office chair. Maybe I'm seeking more deference from the rest of the hockey world and the league than we should get. Perhaps it's early March and our team has been a challenge to watch this year. Maybe my zeal from 1967 forward to see a Stanley Cup won here before I croak is finally getting to me. I'm not sure.  

There are times I imagine I'm that intoxicated guy (I don't drink) staggering from a seedy tavern at midnight, throwing air punches at imaginary foes! I'm from Minnesota! We are the best hockey state in the U.S.! Now bow down, you dirty rotters! We want another Winter Classic Bettman or I'll saw the heels off of your elevator shoes! Sons-a-biscuit!  

I'm not hyperventilating or even sweating. But to say it's already been a long season would be an understatement! I better hit the concourse at the 'X' outside of section 126. Coffee and mini-donuts sound great right now! That's just what I need! Some caffeine and sugar! That should settle me down! PEACE  

Wild GM Bill Guerin has traded forward Brandon Duhaime to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2026 3rd-round draft pick. Over & OUT!