Wayne Gretzky Steps Down: Is He the Future NHL Commish?

By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter


Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest player in NHL history, announced today that he is stepping down from his position as head coach and director of hockey operations of the Phoenix Coyotes.

To many close to the Coyotes' situation, the news hardly comes as a shock. That said, Gretzky’s decision to step down rather than push himself back into the fold or force the Coyotes to fire him is another example of Gretzky taking the high road in an otherwise disastrous situation.

Gretzky, who has a knack for always saying and doing the right thing, had one year left on the five-year deal he signed in 2005. By stepping down Gretzky saves "face," but will not be paid the remainder of his contract, which, at a reported $8 million per season, is quite a bit of cash.

From a distance, it would seem that Gretzky had little choice. He was stuck in purgatory, not knowing where his future stood with the Coyotes and with no end in sight.

Needless to say, Gretzky is no quitter, so I think it is a safe assumption to suggest that Gretzky did not want to further complicate matters for the Coyotes organization, his players, and the fans by taking his contract status to the courts, and instead, opted to step down on his terms, head held high.

In a statement, Gretzky said of the situation:

"I often said it was the greatest honor and privilege I could imagine to be able to play in the National Hockey League. I feel the same way about being an NHL coach. I've loved the four years I spent coaching the Coyotes. Not a day went by when I took it for granted, and I will miss the competition of the NHL dearly. It was an honor to hold the position, and I will always consider myself especially fortunate to have had this opportunity."

As always, Gretzky has spoken like a true gentleman, always putting the game, the NHL, and his team before himself.

Hey, I will be the first to admit that I thought it was time for Gretzky to move on from the Coyotes. I never thought of Gretzky as a great coach, and I think he may have stunted the growth of some of his younger players, most notably Kyle Turris and Viktor Tikhonov.

Say what you will about Gretzky’s coaching skills, or lack thereof (he has a career 143-161-24 record and .473 winning percentage as head coach of the Coyotes). He may not have a great record, but he is still one of the classiest players in NHL history, and for that he should have been treated with a little class and respect, don't you think?

One would think, regardless of the final outcome in the Coyotes' bankruptcy proceedings, that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would have seen to it that Gretzky was “taken care of." Sadly, to nobody’s surprise, this will not be the case.

Instead, the NHL’s greatest ambassador, the person most responsible for the NHL’s expansion into the southern United States (for better or for worse), has been hung out to dry and left for dead.

Would it have killed Bettman and the owners to make good on Gretzky’s contract?

Would it have killed them to handle the matter with a little decorum and class?

Sorry, what am I thinking? There I go again, believing that the NHL and its cronies have a brain between them. I’ll take the needle out of my arm; I must be high again!

By turning the other cheek, the Phoenix Coyotes, Gary Bettman, and the NHL “did” Gretzky in this case. It all leads me to ask, how, after all that Gretzky has done for the NHL and the Coyotes, could you “do” him like that? It’s a sad day.

Well, in my world anyway, turnabout is fair play. I’ll be the first to put it out there. Stay with me here.

Let’s say, for the moment, that Gary Bettman and the NHL lose their bid for the Coyotes. What ramifications will Bettman have to face?

Bettman has bumbled this situation from day one, so if the NHL lost its bid for the Coyotes, would Bettman be asked to step down? Could he be fired?

If so, who could possibly replace Bettman as NHL commissioner?

Someone who knows the landscape of the NHL.

Someone who wants to see the NHL succeed in the southern United States.

Someone who would instantly have the respect of NHL officials, owners, and players alike.

Someone who was instantly recognizable and, with the NHL reeling from the loss of the Coyotes, could save the league some "face" and credibility.

Someone like, I dunno...Wayne Gretzky?!

Yes Mr. Bettman, not like this is news to you, but I, like many NHL fans and players alike, am calling for your head and I foresee Wayne Gretzky being a viable, if not perfect, replacement for you.

If that were to happen, my oh my, what a wonderful piece of drama and revenge that would be, wouldn’t it?

And, if it doesn’t happen, hey, a man can dream, can’t he?

Until next time,

Peace!