That hasn't changed since the first day this transpired. I hope the people of southern Ontario get their wish one day and get a franchise. "Phoenix is a great city, a wonderful sports city. "It really has nothing to do with me," said Gretzky. Gretzky said Kings GM Dean Lombardi has offered him a job that he'll talk about "down the road." As for the mess in Phoenix, Gretzky remained optimistic about both his former team and the future of hockey in Hamilton. Working at some league position, that's certainly something we'll entertain."ĭaly said the NHL has not spoken directly with Gretzky. "Wayne is such an icon of the game, that Wayne should be doing whatever Wayne wants to do. "We'll have a discussion with Wayne at an appropriate time, I'm not sure now is it. "We remain committed to doing everything we can to work with Wayne and get him paid because we think he deserves to be paid," said Bill Daly, the league's deputy commissioner. Kings have a job offer for him and the NHL is prepared to give him a job while trying to find a way to get Gretzky the money he's owed. Gretzky won't be out of hockey for long, unless he chooses to be. He left his post as coach in a cloud as the bankruptcy hearings wound down.Īsked if he was bitter, he said: "No, not at all. He's owed at least $8 million (all figures U.S.) for his time with the bankrupt Coyotes and will be lucky to receive a fraction of that now that the NHL has bought the team for about $140 million. Gretzky had nothing but nice things to say about Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Steve Yzerman, and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.īut it was what he had to say about the NHL - and his new life outside it - that was on everyone's minds. "One of the good things about going into the Hall of Fame is having friends and families and ex-teammates around. It is no less of an honor to confirm that Bobby Hull has happily agreed to temporarily un-retire his famous No. "It's a great honour for them," said Gretzky. It had been speculated upon whether the Great One would stay away from the ceremony, or risk the accompanying media circus to watch his buddies take their place alongside him in hockey's shrine. "I'm just going to enjoy this, enjoy the night. "It is what it is," said Gretzky, making his first public appearance in Canada - at the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony Monday night - since leaving the Phoenix Coyotes. Wayne Gretzky says he has no hard feelings toward the NHL.
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