from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

So if anyone imagines that what has happened this week will end up seeing Bettman given the bum's rush out of the NHL's New York offices, his briefcase and foam fan finger flying out behind him onto the Avenue of the Americas, they will be sadly mistaken.

In many ways, such discussion is moot given that Bettman is approaching his 20th anniversary as commissioner. Assuming a new deal extends at least six years (does anyone hear 100?), how likely would it be that Bettman would still be at the helm next time around regardless of how this played out?

It may matter to the legion of fans, players and agents that naively blame Bettman for this entire mess. Were that life was that simple. It's not.

Still, as we watch intently for that pinprick of light to grow into something more, something like a real hockey season, it's worth noting that regardless of how we got here and how history will judge the winners and losers, this much is undeniable: while you can argue Gary Bettman is the author of most of this labor darkness, there is no light this week without him.

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