from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

“There are no good guys or bad guys,” said Bettman, smiling. “This is a relationship and we’ve lived with each for a long time and we’re going to continue to live with each other. We’re not looking to position ourselves as the good guys. There are no good guys or bad guys. There’s just people trying to do what they think is right.”

What’s right, according to Bettman, is labour peace. That’s why the NHL declined to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement last week. In doing so, the NHL moved toward three more seasons of uninterrupted hockey.

That is, as long as the NHLPA follows suit and also declines opting out of the current arrangement before the Sept. 15 deadline.

“The puck is in their end,” said Bettman. “We made the decision that we thought was the best decision for the game, namely labour peace. And it’s now up to the Players’ Association to decide what they want to do on the 15th. I don’t want to do or say anything that might influence their decision. It’s an important decision they have to make and we’ll see what they do.”

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