Calgary could use a new rink, according to the NHL’s top boss.

Gary Bettman met with Naheed Nenshi Thursday to begin discussions on a new arena.

The commissioner tells Sportsnet 960 The Fan this is a great opportunity.

“Not only to provide what’s necessary in terms of a facility for the Flames, but it’s more than that in terms of family shows, and concerts, and conventions and the like, and if you do it right it could be transformative for a city,” he said.

Bettman says the Saddledome is one of the oldest buildings in the league.

“This one is the old style of construction. All the other buildings that are at least 10 years younger are in the new form, and I know they did a renovation here, what was it, 15 or 18 years ago? They kind of didn’t get it right, because the lower bowl is way too small. It’s the smallest lower bowl in the league by thousands,” he said.

Bettman says this first meeting with the mayor was mostly just to get acquainted with each other.