Former player claims Gary Bettman forced his trade and subsequent AHL demotion

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Dorin Canaday
February 8, 2023 (12:47)

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One former player has spoken out and made a heavy accusation against Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL.

Retired enforcer John Scott recently appeared on the Nasty Knuckles Podcast with fellow former NHLers Riley Cote and Derek Settlemyre, and had some interesting comments about how it basically ended his career in 2016.

Everyone remembers the infamous moment from 2016 when Scott was a controversial All-Star fan vote-in, and later, tournament MVP. However, prior to the All-Star weekend, he was suspiciously traded from the Arizona Coyotes to Montreal Canadiens, and Scott implies it was Bettman's way of trying to get him out of the All-Star festivities.

As per Scott:

''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.''

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

He also stated that then-Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin admitted that he had no interest in bringing him to Montreal, but he had to make the trade. Implying that Bettman had something to do with it.

John Scott would only appear in one game for Montreal that season and subsequently retired from the NHL in December 2016. He finished his career appearing in 286 games with the Wild, Blackhawks, Rangers, Sabres, Sharks, Coyotes and Canadiens, recording 5 goals and 6 assists.

Check out the video below for Scott's full comments:

SOURCE: Nasty Knuckles Podcast