Gary Bettman's Latest Decision Shows He Has Favoritism For a Precise Team

Earlier this offseason, an exceptional circumstance was provided to Shane Wright, allowing him an exemption from the CHL's rules (including the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL). As a result, the Seattle Kraken can integrate him into their AHL team without any obligation to revert him to the OHL.

The exemption certainly streamlines Wright's progress. Many athletes outgrow the CHL by their D+2 year but may not yet be NHL-ready. This move means the Kraken can optimize Wright's learning curve by pitting him against superior competition than he'd face in the CHL.

Though Wright is an undeniable talent in the CHL, he's not alone in his prowess. The Columbus Blue Jackets roster includes two notable talents, Jordan Dumais and Denton Mateychuk, who could potentially make the leap to the AHL next season.

Mateychuk, selected 12th overall in the 2022 draft, has been consistently outperforming his peers in the WHL. His track record with the Moose Jaw Warriors last season makes it evident he's surpassed that level. Yet, breaking into the Blue Jackets' lineup seems a tad premature, which positions AHL as the ideal middle ground.

As for Dumais, his journey is intriguing. Despite being a 2022 third-round pick, he racked up 140 points in 64 QMJHL matches the previous season, setting him apart from his contemporaries. To provide some context, Dumais' point per game average stood at 2.19, overshadowing Wright's 1.85. Even though the QMJHL may slightly trail the OHL in competitiveness, the two leagues aren't too far apart.

For Bettman to suggest that the Blue Jackets revert these two exceptional players to their original CHL teams, especially when one has outperformed Wright, points to a perceived imbalance in favor of the Kraken.

As seen on Hockey OTB - REPORT: Gary Bettman Shows Blatant Favoritism For Expansion Teams