Gary Bettman's been gritting his teeth about long-term contracts ever since that absurd Rick DiPietro contract went on the Islanders' books, and while in Columbus yesterday, the commish opined on the Red Wings' recent behemoth deals:

Bettman was asked what he thought of the long-term, front-loaded deals that have recently been signed by Detroit players Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg.

"Under a cap system, I would try to opt for shorter contracts because it allows for more flexibility," Bettman said. "Maybe my words will become prophetic if the cap flattens out or recedes a little bit because of the economy."

Bettman said the long-term deals are an issue that the league and NHLPA might discuss when it comes time to sit down to hammer out the next collective bargaining agreement.

Old hat, basically. But what we haven't heard is a player's response to Bettman's musings. Here's Johan Franzen, from that same piece by Craig Custance: 

Franzen admitted his contract was a way to work around the current salary cap system but said it was within the rules.

"If you don't like it, you have to come up with rules against it," Franzen told Sporting News Today. "You can't say something after."

Hard to argue with that.

I bet the owners look to get rid of deals over seven or eight years in the next round of negotiations, so those looking for a lifetime contract would best sign it this summer. (That means you, Jay Bouwmeester.)