The reaction was interpreted by some as evidence of Bettman's bias against Canadian teams. This perception is further reinforced by his apparent reluctance to relocate the Arizona Coyotes, which many see as a poorly-performing franchise, out of the desert and possibly bring back the Quebec Nordiques.
Recently, Bettman was asked about the possibility of the Edmonton Oilers hosting the NHL draft or All-Star Game, given that the team has been in the league for over 40 years. He replied: