Former player claims a General Manager told him he was forced to trade for him by Gary Bettman, proving NHL corruption

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Andrew Loftus
February 8, 2023 (8:44)

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There are always rumors circulating around just how much influence Gary Bettman has around the league. Some fans trust him, while others believe he's only out for himself. This story might make you think twice about how much Bettman really pulls the strings.

Former NHL player John Scott had some interesting comments about how he was traded from the Arizona Coyotes to Montreal Canadiens. John Scott stated he had known former Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin earlier in Chicago so the two were familiar with each other. Bergevin admitted to Scott that he had no interest in bringing Scott to Montreal and that he had to make the trade. Scott implied that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had something to do with the move. Watch the video for John Scott's comments,

Yeah, when I got to Montreal, I didn't even go to Montreal I went to St. John's. I talked to Bergy, Bergevin. I knew him from Chicago from when he was a scout. You know how they give jobs to ex players, here be a scout Bergy. I talked to him after the trade and he said "John I didn't even want yah. I just had to make this trade." And he didn't elaborate.

But there was Bettman's fingers all over that trade.

Recall that John Scott was voted by the fans to the 2016 All-Star game where he really became famous. Scott is hardly known as an all-star player, but fans voted him in anyway. Clearly Gary Bettman was upset with the whole incident and may have had a hand in getting John Scott relocated to Montreal who in turn sent him to St. John in the American Hockey League.

It's hard to know the exact truth of entire the story but I believe John Scott. Gary Bettman is too arrogant to ever admit a mistake was made during his tenure as Commissioner of the National Hockey League. It sure seems like Bettman's intent was to make John Scott go away permanently.

POLL
FEVRIER 8 \| 280 ANSWERS Former player claims a General Manager told him he was forced to trade for him by Gary Bettman, proving NHL corruption Do you believe Gary Bettman forced this trade?
Yes, he absolutely did	236	84.3 %
No, he doesn't care that much	44	15.7 %
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