NHL preparing for Bettman's retirement in 'a couple years'

The NHL is starting to think about life without Gary Bettman.

Though Bettman's retirement isn't imminent, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold told The Athletic's Michael Russo and Chris Johnston that the Board of Governors' executive committee has formally begun the process of finding a replacement for the longtime NHL commissioner.

Leipold first mentioned Bettman's departure Wednesday, telling "The Sick Podcast" that his lone concern regarding the league is "the fact that Gary's gonna be retiring."

"I think there's a lot of us that know how (good) Gary has been as the commissioner in this league," Leipold added. "It's gonna be a sad day when he's not a part of it, but that's a couple years down the road, and we're doing the planning now.

"We have to make sure we get it right when he leaves."

Bettman has been at the helm of the NHL for 32 years and is the longest-serving commissioner across all North American professional sports leagues.

The 72-year-old told The Athletic he's brought up his eventual retirement with the executive committee but hasn't provided a firm timeline.

"I just wanted to put it on their radar," he said Thursday. "When you don't have the energy and the passion, you have to think about it. The good news is I have the energy and I have the passion. I love what I do, and actually, I enjoy doing what I'm doing probably more than I ever would enjoy retirement."