A new downtown arena in Edmonton? An excellent idea trumpeted NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Increased attention to head shots? That is an intricate matter that is being discussed.

As for the league's decision to fine the Vancouver Canucks Alex Burrows for accusing referee Stephane Auger of biased officiating, Bettman said he is not only convinced the investigation was thorough, he stands by the decision made by Colin Campbell, the NHL's disciplinarian.

Bettman was in Edmonton on Wednesday, making his annual pass through the west. While in town, he met with Oilers president Patrick LaForge and Bob Black, the executive vice-president of Sports and Entertainment for the Katz Group during which time he received an update on the proposed arena project.

"The proposal is very exciting, very compelling and I think it's very important for the franchise. This is the second-oldest building in the league, the smallest market in the league and if this team is going to have success long-term they need a new rink," said Bettman, who will be in Calgary today.

Success short-term is another matter. When the commissioner said that he likes to get into the NHL cities to talk to the cabbies about the local economies and see the game presentations and to speak to the customers, he usually hits 25 or 26 of the franchises. The rest he can visit during the playoffs.

"I traditionally come this time of year," he said when it was suggested he had written off the Oilers.

"Certainly there hasn't been a lack of commitment by ownership because this team has about a cap payroll. There are good people here who will work their way through. Teams go through this. Only six teams in the last four years, since the work stoppage, have been to the Stanley Cup final. Only six out of 30 and one of them is the Edmonton Oilers."

As for equipment and safety issues, such as visors, more forgiving shoulder pads, and elbows to the head, these are all matters that will be discussed at the GM meetings in March.

"We don't want to over-legislate. We want to get it right," said Bettman. "We average over 40 hits a game and an essential element of our game is the physicality. That's somewhere in excess of 50,000 hits a season and there are probably a dozen that make us uncomfortable. We want to get those hits out of the game without taking physicality out."

j i reland@thejournal.canwest.com