Insider reveals NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to retire sooner than expected

Gary Bettman is an unpopular figurehead in hockey, and he's been the only Commissioner the NHL has ever had.

During Bettman's tenure, we've seen multiple lockouts and an ongoing denial of CTE that harms players.

While an exact date is not in sight, we're all pondering when Bettman will retire and leave the NHL behind.

According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, Bettman has informed the NHL's executive committee he'll retire "in a few years".

"A couple of years" is an ambiguous phrase which could mean until the end of the next CBA, or seeing through the next expansion team which could mean 3 or more years.

But the NHL should be preparing for the day, so they can hire someone with fresh ideas in order to market the league, as it should be.

Bettman has overseen the league since 1993 and has seen the expansion of the NHL from 27 to 32 teams. And it's peaked as modern streaming services have given fans a headache nightly when it comes to finding out how to watch your favorite teams.

Depending on whom you speak to, Gary Bettman has done a lot of good things, but we're not sure most NHL fans will miss him.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly could end up being his replacement considering the line of succession, if the NHL respects that sort of thing.

Do you think Gary Bettman should retire from the NHL after this season? Let us know in the poll down below and stay tuned to NY Rangers Insider for the latest news and updates on the New York Rangers.