THE NHL / HELENE ELLIOTT : Bettman Erred in Taking Hard Line

If NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman would take as hard a line with some of his owners as he’s taking against the leagues’ referees and linesmen, the NHL would be far better off.

If he had been as forceful with Star owner Norm Green as he has been with the on-ice officials, the NHL would probably still have a team in Minnesota and the Edmonton Oilers wouldn’t be threatening to flee to Minneapolis, the league’s second franchise shift in three seasons.

If he had examined the flimsy finances of the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning as carefully as he has dealt with the men in striped shirts, those two franchises might have new arenas instead of only plans.

Bettman has been trying to show the league’s governors--his bosses--that he can guard their wallets and assert authority. Fine. But issuing ultimatums was the wrong way to treat a group that already delayed a walkout when its contract expired Aug. 31 so Bettman, then only recently arrived from the NBA, could familiarize himself with the issues.

Cutting corners on officials’ paychecks is foolish, and players have been outspoken about the consequences of games officiated by frightened referees. Fans have chanted “We want scabs,” or “Go on strike,” but after watching a few games involving college and junior officials, they will send bouquets to Paul Stewart, Kerry Fraser and Andy vanHellemond.

The officials have long been underpaid, but in a league where teams are losing big money and in an economy that’s still rocky, first-year raises of 29% for referees and 26% for linesmen are significant. The spark that ignited Monday’s strike was a difference of about $1.5 million in the benefits package, which works out to roughly $57,000 per team--or about a night’s sales of duck calls at Anaheim Arena. If the NHL would go one-third of the way to a compromise, the problem might be resolved. It should make that gesture.

For all the NHL’s clever marketing strategies and ambitious efforts, its credibility is still not above question. Incompetent officials could make it a laughingstock and perpetuate its image as a minor-league sport.

Bettman’s approach is only a rehearsal for his stance in collective-bargaining talks with the NHL Players Assn., which will resume once the officials’ situation is settled.

READY, AIM, FIRE

Michael Eisner, governor of the Mighty Ducks and chairman of the Walt Disney Co., does not plan to bring up the subject of fighting at the Dec. 9-10 Board of Governors meetings in Laguna Niguel. However, he does want to debate instituting shootouts to settle ties, an idea that outrages traditionalists.

“I’m just one-26th of the vote, but I think it’s worth discussing,” Eisner said. “It’s exciting in the International Hockey League, and I just hope it comes up.” He declined to say whether he would introduce the topic but added, “If it comes up, I’ll give my opinion.”

COMING TO A HALT

The Philadelphia Flyers will be without Eric Lindros, the NHL’s second-leading goal scorer, for three to six weeks because of a partially torn ligament in his right knee.

Four-time scoring champion Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins will be sidelined until January because of recurring back pain. The NHL took some big hits last week, but like the NBA, its supply of new talent will minimize the loss of the big-name players.

When Lindros’ left knee was injured last season, the Flyers fell apart and were 7-14-2 in his absence. Their depth will help them withstand this injury. Josef Beranek (15 goals, 23 points), Rod Brind’Amour (28 points, second to Wayne Gretzky) and Swedish rookie Mikael Renberg (19 points), backed by a defense that’s jelling nicely, will keep Philadelphia near the Atlantic Division lead. “I feel we’re much better equipped than last year,” Lindros said.

Lemieux finally acknowledged last week his comeback attempt was premature, and he will continue rehabilitation before trying again. “He can’t play at 70%,” said his agent, Tom Reich. “He’s like Michelangelo on skates--he can’t reach the ceiling right now, but he will when he’s 100%.”

LONELY PENALTY BOX

There are painters such as Michelangelo and Lemieux, and there are plumbers, such as the Washington Capitals’ Alan May.

As were Lemieux and Lindros, May was injured last week. But since the Capitals’ right wing isn’t known for his scoring prowess--he began the season with 59 points and 1,114 penalty minutes in 308 games--this might be the only time all are mentioned in the same breath.

Lemieux and Lindros were hurt in the line of duty, but May’s broken left hand is another story.

It happened in a confrontation with teammate Enrico Ciccone during practice. “Unfortunately, it broke,” May said, not blaming Ciccone. “If we had bone glue, I’d have them open up my hand and fix it.”

SURVEY ON THE ROCKS

An informal survey by the Associated Press found players consider the ice at New York’s Madison Square Garden the NHL’s worst, and the ice at Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum the best. Anaheim Arena was cited among the worst, while the Forum was praised for its improved surface.

The survey was a good idea, but the small sampling--30 players--taints its validity. Some players hadn’t visited Tampa Bay’s ThunderDome, a trouble spot because of its portable rink and portable refrigeration unit, and many hadn’t been to the West Coast. The NHL Players Assn. should conduct its own survey after the season to identify surfaces that need upgrading.

SLAP SHOTS

Former Canadien standouts Guy Lapointe and Steve Shutt and former New York Islander goalie Billy Smith will be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight. Edgar Laprade will be inducted in the veterans’ category. . . . The return of Florida Panther assistant coach Craig Ramsay, who underwent stomach surgery last summer, was delayed again after he underwent another operation. He won’t be back for several months. Former King Coach Tom Webster is his stand-in. . . . The New York Rangers, buoyed by the Steve Larmer trade, are unbeaten in their last 10 games, 5-0-1 since Larmer’s arrival. . . . The Buffalo Sabres are 0-7 at home, including a neutral-site game at Sacramento in which they were the home team. . . . The Canadiens have lost three consecutive home games. Sacre bleu!