As it is currently situated, Barclays Center would have a seating capacity of 14,500 for hockey, making it the smallest arena in the NHL. MTS Centre in Winnipeg holds 15,004 fans.
Bettman said Wang, Ratner and Yormark have been discussing a redesign to add at least 500 seats, but the Commissioner did not seem overly concerned about the size of the rink.
"We expect the capacity to be about 15,000-plus," he said. "If you keep in mind Winnipeg is doing quite well in a building the same size and the Nassau Coliseum is 16,200. A thousand seats -- we don't think makes a material difference."