As the Calgary Flames season chugs along, other things are happening off the ice that may have an impact (or not) in the future.

In an appearance with Rob Kerr on The Big Show on Sportsnet 960 The Fan yesterday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned that he had met with Calgary’s mayor, Naheed Nenshi, for the first time the day prior. We’ve since been able to confirm the Wednesday meeting with the mayor’s office, though they declined further comment.

While chatting with Kerr on-air, Bettman characterized it as a “getting to you know” style of meeting. Nenshi (along with several other members of city council) has long been an opponent of committing public money towards a new arena for the Flames – rather spending infrastructure money on other large-scale projects instead. Bettman mentioned the meeting when responding to a query by Kerr regarding a new arena and the league’s role in that process.

A new building is Calgary – regardless of the financing scheme – is likely inevitable, so we’ll almost definitely have more on the arena saga as it unfolds.