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White regrets calling Bettman an “idiot”

ianwhitegetty

On second thought, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ian White regrets calling Gary Bettman “an idiot.”

White told the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman that regardless of his personal feelings, “there is no room for name-calling” in the CBA negotiations.

This is far from the first time a player made an eyebrow-raising comment regarding the discussions, only to backpedal - due to backlash or some reflection (perhaps both).

(Ryan Suter backing off his comments about Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold might be the best example.)

Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider told Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy that the NHLPA doesn’t condone such badmouthing.

“It’s getting a little personal,” Schneider said. “We’d like to think we are adults and can handle this in an appropriate way. It’s easy to direct your anger towards one person because he represents the owners and the owners aren’t allowed to speak. I don’t think we condone that but at the same time its a heat of the moment mistake and I don’t think anyone takes it personally.”

Some might say that Bettman is used to it at this point.