Was just about to post this. Confirms a lot of what we were already guessing at:
- There was a serious threat of relocation in the first year and a half after he bought the team. Waddell convinced him to stay the course.
- His negotiation tactics are brutal, but he’s apparently softened up a little lately. That quote from Forslund was damning though.
- He doesn’t care about the rest of the league, only about the Hurricanes. Bettman said his laser focus is “great, if you’re a Hurricanes fan”
- He’s probably a big reason (if not THE big reason) we’re getting jobbed by the officiating, since he contacts Bettman and the head of officiating after every game about questionable calls.
Your paraphrasing is a bit different from what I read / interpret.
1) "Serious threat" of relocation - Here 's the exact quote.
On multiple occasions, Dundon broached the subject of relocation with Waddell.
“In probably his first year and a half, we might have had two conversations about, ‘Are there other places that might be better?’” Waddell said. “And I kept saying, ‘Let’s give this a chance here.’ Once we got to that point where we got the lease and attendance was getting better, he felt better that we can make it in this market and do well here.”
Certainly losing money had him concerned, but a "serious threat" to me is not asking your GM a couple of times if there are better places. To each their own though.
2) I don't see that quote from Forslund damning. Dundon didn't see a lot of value in announcers (Radio with Chuck and TV with Forslund) and gave them take it or leave it offers.
3) He doesn't care about the rest of the league. Here's the text from that article:
Asked whether Dundon is close with his fellow NHL owners, Commissioner Gary Bettman said that “he likes to focus his energies and intentions and efforts on the Hurricanes and, frankly, if you’re a fan of the Hurricanes, that’s good news.”
Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola, who considers Dundon a friend, said he and Dundon have bonded over their mutual penchant for using statistics to drive their business decisions.
“He’s actually kind of shy,” Viola said. “I don’t think people see him that way, but I do. He’s a family, stay-at-home guy.”
I'm guessing most owners focus most of their energy and efforts on their own teams.
4) - He’s probably a big reason (if not THE big reason) we’re getting jobbed by the officiating, since he contacts Bettman and the head of officiating after every game about questionable calls.
It wasn't just about officiating that he contacts Bettman's office.
"Bettman also characterized Dundon as “very hands-on,” noting that his office often hears from the Hurricanes owner multiple times a week.
“Our hockey operations people, our officiating people will hear from him if there’s a call he’s concerned about — after the fact, of course, not during the game,” Bettman said. “He’s always raising good questions about the collective-bargaining agreement and the salary cap and he’s always trying to make sure that the Hurricanes are doing everything possible within the rules to get an edge.”
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