Gary Bettman

San Jose winger Raffi Torres' jarring hit of Kings center Jarret Stoll on Tuesday triggered a sizable ripple effect that could alter the tone and course of the teams' Western Conference semifinal playoff series. The ripples could spread far enough for the...

Now, where was I before Gary Bettman unanimously captured the “Moron of the Millenium’’ championship? Oh yeah, Patrick Kane, second-line center. And Patrick Kane, trade bait. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman contends that...

During the second period of the Blackhawks' 3-2 victory Wednesday night over the Avalanche at the United Center, my phone buzzed. "Hawks on their way to 24 straight unbeaten?'' the text from fan Steven Schucker read. Schucker wasn't the only person in...

Maybe it really is as simple as it sounds. That for the NHL and its players, establishing a partnership with the You Can Play project — which fights homophobia and advocates for the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual athletes in...

If the Blackhawks truly want to retaliate Thursday night for Raffi Torres' dirty hit on Marian Hossa, the most satisfying method will be measured on the scoreboard and not in the penalty box. Hurting a Coyote won't necessarily help the Hawks. As tempted...

Most NHL coaches divide the season into quarters or 10-game segments and set goals for wins or points. Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau takes a shorter-term view, preferring to break things down into digestible, one-week chunks. "That just comes from when I...

The Chicago Blackhawks were the big story as the NHL reached the halfway point of its lockout-shortened schedule, but many other excellent performances deserve recognition. Here are some. Halfway coach of the year: Joel Quenneville, Chicago. 21-0-3 isn't...

The countdown to the Sochi Olympics slipped beneath the one-year mark last week with a huge question looming: Will NHL players participate in Russia's first-ever Winter Games? The answer should be clearer after executives of the NHL, NHL Players' Assn....

Here come the Hawks, the mighty Blackhawks. Admit it, hockey fans in the city: You never have been happier to hum that hokey song in your head. You have missed the winter soundtrack of your sport in our city. You cannot wait to hear the familiar music...

It's why our games have shootouts, extra innings, overtime or penalty kicks. Sports fans like to have a clearly defined winner and loser, and they want to pass judgment quickly. Ties have become unacceptable even if a deadlock accurately reflects the...

NHL muckamuck and Gary Bettman sock puppet Bill Daly said last week he was out of ideas for saving this locked-out season. Excuse me, but when exactly did you or the NHL have even one idea? Besides making the players indentured servants, I mean? You...

Half-baked Jake is back in all his half-bakedness … News: The steroid-dripping Baseball Hall of Fame ballots are distributed. Views: After leaving the box unchecked twice, I'm voting for Killingworth's Jeff Bagwell. My fuller view of one of the...