ST. LOUIS — The NHL hasn't been on ESPN since before the NHL lockout, but that doesn't mean the network has been forgotten by commissioner Gary Bettman.

"I talk to them all the time," Bettman said recently while attending a Blues game in St. Louis.

Now in the third season of its national cable contract with Versus, formerly the Outdoor Life Network, the NHL is committed to making it work on the much lesser-known channel.

Complaints and criticism of the relocation to Versus haven't shaken the league, at least publicly.

"Versus has an option for next year and I anticipate they'll exercise it," Bettman said. "They have a long-term relationship with us. I think it's their option, but nobody's focused on it.

"We've always viewed this as a long-term relationship and we anticipate that's what it will be. I think they're doing a very good job. Their coverage from Day One has continued to improve, as has distribution."