Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has revealed that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to retire in the near future, and the search for his successor is already underway.

Bettman says he hasn't given the Board of Governors a timeline, but the executive committee is in a formal process of finding a successor.

At 72, Gary Bettman is in no rush to step into retirement. But the NHL has started taking steps to creating a suitable succession plan for when that day comes.

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.

The NHL’s Board of Governors have begun preparations for Commissioner Gary Bettman’s retirement in “a couple years,” Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold confirmed to The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Chris Johnston.

Ladies and gentlemen, the day that we’ve all waited for has finally come. Well, maybe not exactly yet, but the day is coming. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reportedly informed the NHL’s Board of Governor’s his plans for retirement and will walk away from the sport “in a couple years.