Gary Bettman

LANDOVER -- It took more than a week -- and several clarifications from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman -- but the Washington Capitals decided to match the San Jose Sharks' free-agent offer for left wing Kelly Miller yesterday.In a separate move, the Capitals signed 14-year veteran Keith Acton to a one-season contract.Miller, 30, will receive a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $800,000 and $850,000 for the next two years. Miller will have the option of extending the contract for an additional two seasons at $500,000 per season.

Twenty-one games wipes the smirk off Dale Hunter's face.Twenty-one games sets a match to Gil Stein's pantywaist system of "discipline," which suspended players only for practices and non-game, non-travel days.Twenty-one games dares any other player in the NHL to find out whether this is the outer limit of Gary Bettman's justice, or whether it's just the starting point.Twenty-one games leaves a massive hole in the heart of the Washington Capitals. Even if you hate him, and he certainly gives you reason, you cannot overlook the fact that Hunter is a pivotal performer for his team.

The reason former NHL president John Ziegler lost his job was that he couldn't produce what the owners wanted. Now, just before Christmas, the owners have installed their first commissioner -- 40-year-old Gary Bettman -- whom they fully expect to deliver what Ziegler couldn'tWhat do the owners expect Bettman to do?* Bring the NHL the same kind of popularity enjoyed by the NBA, where Bettman has been working as the league's senior vice president and general counsel.* Reach a collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players Association that will keep contracts under control, much the way Bettman orchestrated the complicated salary cap structure in the NBA."