We have major news in the National Hockey League. According to sources from The Athletic, Commissioner Gary Bettman has indeed made a decision regarding the timing of his retirement.

Bettman would step down as NHL Commissioner in a couple of years.

He has therefore decided to turn the page and relinquish his position within the next few years.

Wow.

Still according to The Athletic, the process to eventually replace Bettman has already begun.

This is huge news.

Gary Bettman’s Retirement Is Approaching, and the Process to Find a Replacement Has Begun

This means a significant chapter will be closing in the next few years for the National Hockey League.

Gary Bettman has informed the NHL he intends to retire as league commissioner in a ‘couple of years’.

via The Athletic

For the first time, the NHL Commissioner asked the executive committee last month to plan for the day he is no longer in charge.

– Michael Russo

As you can imagine, this is a story sparking a lot of reactions right now.

Among natural replacements, the name Bill Daly immediately stands out, but it is understood that this will be a fairly complex and thorough process.

Could Gary Bettman’s successor be more open to the return of the Quebec Nordiques? That’s a question that immediately arises here.

Additionally, it’s noted that the NHL’s upcoming television contract, set to be signed in 2026, could be Bettman’s last major legacy before his departure (along with the next collective bargaining agreement, of course).

It will certainly be special to see the National Hockey League without Gary Bettman.

Bettman has been the NHL’s commissioner since 1993 and has grown the league from 24 to 32 teams, impressive!