NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is preparing to retire in "a couple years," according to a team owner, and the league is in the process of finding a successor.

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold revealed the development during a podcast interview when asked about the current state of the NHL, though Bettman has made no formal announcement of his plans.

Bettman, 72, has been the NHL's commissioner since February 1993. His tenure has been the longest in league history, surpassing Clarence Campbell, who was commissioner for 31 years from 1946-77.

Previously, Bettman spent 12 years in the NBA's front office, eventually working his way up to the league's general counsel and senior vice president. During his tenure, the NBA implemented the salary cap system that continues to be in place now.

He has not decided the exact timeline of his retirement, but did raise the eventuality to the NHL executive committee (of which Leipold is a member) during a meeting of the league's Board of Governors in Florida, The Athletic reported.

During his 32 years as NHL commissioner, the league has expanded from 24 teams to 32 and moved the league into warm-weather regions of the Southern and Western United States, including Dallas, Nashville and Las Vegas.