NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to journalists following a luncheon at The National Club in Toronto on Tuesday. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

Commissioner Gary Bettman didn't back down from his original stand that the NHL is financially stable despite a bleak economy when he joined Hockey Night In Canada Radio's Jeff Marek on Tuesday.

Bettman discussed a wide range of issues, including the overall health of the league.

Although several media reports continue to suggest the economic crisis has several teams facing turbulent times, Bettman dismissed any notion of the NHL losing franchises.

"We anticipate real revenue growth for the season [that's] between five and six per cent," he told Marek. "Six months ago, we had thought it was going to be seven per cent, give or take. So the softness that we've seen from the economic downturn is more of we're not going as fast as we thought. But we're still having real growth and we're pretty happy about that."

Bettman argues that skeptics with no inside knowledge of the NHL's finances use the salary cap — which likely will remain at $56.7 million US next season — as an indication of gloomy times.

"In the last 18 months, we've had $200 million in new business with sponsors," he said. "What tends to get misreported is that real growth isn't necessarily the growth of the salary cap and the salary system that we have with the players' association.

"So while there's real revenue growth, the cap may not actually go up."

The NHL boss does admit that nervous consumers have made it difficult to predict future earnings for league. Bettman said owners will have a better indication of where their teams are heading through this year's Stanley Cup playoff revenue and the renewal of season tickets.

"If [the sale of playoff tickets] are soft then we're going to know that the economy is having a major impact," said Bettman, who celebrated his 16th season on Sunday.

Another topic on the NHL's agenda is the possibility of hosting the much-maligned all-star game in Las Vegas. The potential move would be an effort on the league's part to entice players who would rather use the time to rest rather than take part in the annual contest.

"Maybe there are things we can do to make it more attractive for the few players that wouldn't otherwise think of attending," said Bettman.

"It's a nice little bit of show business for the NHL. It makes the league strong and we can use it as an opportunity for the clubs and the league to bring in sponsors."

Bettman reiterated that the only interest in going to Las Vegas would be to host the all-star game, and not place an expansion team there.

Since the death of Don Sanderson, who died after going into a coma following a fight during an Ontario Hockey Association game in December, Bettman has been inundated with questions regarding the NHL's position on fighting as it moves forward.

In an appearance on CBC's The Hour, which will air on Thursday, Bettman told host George Stroumboulopoulos that the general managers of all 30 teams will meet in March to discuss the hotly debated issue, but fans shouldn't expect major changes to the fighting rule.

"This is something that's been a part of the game and I don't foresee fighting disappearing," he said. "The GMs will discuss the role of fighting and the things that can be done to make it safer."