from Jack Todd at the Montreal Gazette,

If there is one word that describes the National Hockey League as run by Gary Bettman (in cahoots with the likes of Jeremy Jacobs and Murray Edwards) it is arrogance.

Arrogance toward the fans through the endless lockouts.

Arrogance toward the players.

Arrogance in their dealings with the IIHF and the IOC.

Arrogance toward the game of hockey itself, which Bettman & Co. regard as their private plaything, to do with as they please.

That’s why superstar Ilya Kovalchuk’s decision to return to Russia is a watershed moment. Kovalchuk isn’t the first, but he’s the biggest: the NHL can no longer claim the best players in the world play here, because it’s no longer true.

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