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CHICAGO -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is a year removed from cancelling preseason games in the early stages of the leagues lockout of its players. Now there are rising television ratings, along with participation in another Winter Olympics and settled ownership in Phoenix and New Jersey. So where does the NHL go from here? "We just want more of the same," Bettman said Thursday at a promotion for the March 1 outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field. "We want to continue to build off the foundation we have. The game on the ice is as strong as its ever been. And were looking to continue to find ways to connect with our fans that will energize our fan base and grow it." The league expanded the outdoor schedule from one game, the New Years Day Winter Classic, to six this season, including two games at Yankee Stadium and one at Dodger Stadium. Bettman considers the big-event strategy important in generating interest in the NHL. "This game, all the outdoor games, are one element of it," Bettman said. "We have the Olympics and we have what we think will be an exciting, competitive season. Were going to continue to grow. Our fan engagement, not just TV ratings, but through social media and NHL.com, is growing." Russias recent passage of an anti-gay law has caused concern among some connected with the Sochi Winter Olympics. Bettman said this week that NHL players will participate despite the law banning what Russia calls propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations. "Thats not something we think is appropriate, to say the least," Bettman said. "But in the final analysis, and I believe our players feel the same way, theyre going to go, to compete hard for their countries, because thats important to them. "Im not sure its easy for sports to ever get involved with politics, but we have a responsibility to make clear that thats not representative of what we believe is the right thing." The NHL partnered with You Can Play, a group started in April by Philadelphia scout Patrick Burke, whose late brother Brendan was gay. "When it comes to diversity and inclusiveness, I think our record has been very clear," Bettman said. While NHL players will travel to Sochi, he doesnt foresee expansion to Europe, something thats been occasionally considered for more than 30 years. "Its really hard to do, some of it logistics," Bettman said. "We want to be good citizens in the institutional hockey world, but there is a growing interest throughout the world. Thats something were going to continue to try to satisfy." Some European-born NHL players have moved back to the continent, especially to the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League. Ilya Kovalchuk, with New Jersey last season, returned to his homeland by signing with SKA St. Petersburg this summer. The outdoor game in Chicago is the only one scheduled after the Olympics. Soldier Field, which holds 61,500 for football games, will have a rink placed in the middle of the field. In February, about 52,000 fans attended a college hockey doubleheader co-hosted by Wisconsin and Notre Dame. The last Winter Classic in Chicago was a sellout between Blackhawks and Detroit at Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, 2009. Blackhawks president John McDonough expects a full house next year at Soldier Field. "Theres going to be great, great demand for this game," McDonough said. "You can be sure were going to be asking to host another one." The Blackhawks are the first team to host two outdoor games. "This combination catches the imagination and gives our fans a special experience," Bettman said. "For the teams involved, fans cant get enough of it. We think we can manage this, put on all six games well." Wholesale Shoes Suppliers .com) - Rick Nash scored twice and Derek Stepan chipped in a goal with one assist as the New York Rangers claimed a 5-2 decision over Calgary at the Saddledome. Wholesale Shoes Online . - Their offence is underperforming. http://www.cheapshoeswebsites.com/ . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Wholesale Shoes China . Moors, from Cambridge Ont., landed a double-twisting, double somersault in the layout position, en route to a score of 14.600 points in the womens floor exercise, more than a full point ahead of runner-up Pia Tolle of Germany. Wholesale Shoes Cheap . Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago.SASKATOON -- Cheerful and self-effacing, there is something distinctly boyish about Ottawa Senators up-and-coming power forward Buddy Robinson. Except that hes six foot five and tips the scales at a whopping 235 pounds. After scoring two goals in two nights during pre-season exhibition games, including Ottawas 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday, the 22-year-olds chances of making the NHL this year are looking increasingly rosy. With final cuts expected in the coming weeks, some of his fellow rookies are showing stress, but its clear from his broad grin that Robinson is having the time of his life. "Its definitely good to get a few out of the way early," Robinson said. "You dont want to be three or four games into the pre-season without a goal." Senators left-winger Clarke MacArthur, a veteran of eight NHL seasons, said hes impressed that so large a player has the finesse and speed that Robinson displays. "Hes a big body, and when he gets his feet going hes a big horse going down the wall," he said. "Its great to see a young guy like that come in and get a couple goals. Hes making this league look easy." Robinson said he never really considered the possibility of professional hockey, especially when he was a gangly, awkward teenager. At the time his long frame -- and the clumsiness that came with it -- was more hindrance than help. "I had to put some pounds on before I could really use the size to my advantage," Robinson said. While he is known to all as Buddy, even on official rosters, hiss real name is actually Charles James Robinson III.dddddddddddd The nickname was given to him years ago, as a way of reducing confusion as family gatherings. "Sometimes it gets a little confusing, if someone calls you buddy you dont (know) if its your name or if hes a pal," Robinson said. As time passed, Robinson said he realized he has more than raw power at his disposal. "For a big guy Ive always been told I can really move out there," he said. "Thats what I like to focus on. I really want to be able to keep up with the smaller, quicker guys." Despite his modest ambitions, scouts consistently saw potential in Robinson, pushing him to higher and higher levels of play. In 2009 Robinson was noticed by a Hamilton Red Wings scout, and after tryouts found himself playing in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League. After two seasons, putting up 11 goals in the first and 15 the next, he was transferred to the Nepean Raiders. This OMJHL exposure got him noticed by Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and he was offered a scholarship, staying for two years. Robinson caught the eye of Senators assistant general manager Tim Murray during his second year of college, and was offered a college free agent contract. He took the deal and left his college days behind. Senators head coach Paul McLean said hell make his final cuts around Oct. 1, and that so far hes impressed with Robinson. "Hes got good size and skates, and the puck is going in the net for him," he said. "Hes doing a good job." ' ' '