Balsillie makes offer on Coyotes

**darby** · May 15th, 2009, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by hockeyinsd

So I just completed an NHL survey, and the first set of questions were:
-Do you know what is going on with the ownership in Phoenix?
-How interested are you in the ownership situation?
-Should Balsillie be able to purchase the team?
-Should Balsillie be able to move the team to southern Ontario?

So here's my question ... if there is an overwhelming number of answers that indicate Phoenix should move, does the NHL reverse its course and allow that to happen? Otherwise why even put it in their survey? FYI, this was a survey put forth by the NHL.

I had the same thoughts. This was a PR part of the poll to see how far the NHL could push the issue before fans either got pissed or noticed at all.

The rest was the normal "Have you been watching? How interested are you in watching? Will you be watching?" crap after every round.

Originally Posted by adgy-san

Wait. WTF is Bettman's problem with letting the team be moved again?

Theoretically, it's putting a team in Hamilton, about 45 miles from Toronto. Last I heard (back when they were thinking of moving Buffalo there), Toronto was having a s*** fit 'cause the team was too close and would sap their fan base. But that was a while ago.

I think Bettman just doesn't wanna see another team he forced in below the Mason-Dixon line fail on his watch and it'ds gotten a lot more personal and complicated since the first time Balsillie made an offer on a team to move them.

**Greg33** · May 15th, 2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by darby

I think Bettman just doesn't wanna see another team he forced in below the Mason-Dixon line fail on his watch and it'ds gotten a lot more personal and complicated since the first time Balsillie made an offer on a team to move them.

And that's the real problem, Bettman and his ego. Same crap with Goodenow that screwed EVERYONE (owners, players, fans) out of a season. I wish he would resign.

But the survey is interesting, they know what Canadian fans want, but what do American fans want? Particularly fans of teams with "rivalries" with Phoenix.

There is a "Save the Coyotes" rally this weekend that is bound to embarrass the league further by the level of interest/crowd size.

**Dr. No** · May 16th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky stands to make as much as $22.5-million (all currency U.S.) if the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie is approved, court filings show.

sports.theglobeandmail.com: Gretzky poised to cash in on Coyotes sale

I think Gretz will be happy to see the Yotes in his homeland for more than patriotic reasons...

Edit: I just looked on NHL.com and there's hardly mention of the situation at all.

**SirJW** · May 16th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Documents show Bettman would favour Winnipeg over Hamilton

**CHARAzard** · May 16th, 2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by darby

I think Bettman just doesn't wanna see another team he forced in below the Mason-Dixon line fail on his watch and it'ds gotten a lot more personal and complicated since the first time Balsillie made an offer on a team to move them.

QFT.

Plus, I had know idea the Mason-Dixon line stretched clear through to the Pacific Ocean! I need to touch up on my geography...

jk

**SirJW** · May 17th, 2009, 02:42 AM

GREAT PLAYOFF MOMENTS GOING UNSEEN BY MOST - New York Post

**Birdman** · May 17th, 2009, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by SirJW

Documents show Bettman would favour Winnipeg over Hamilton

And Gee, they have a new Arena:

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTS_Centre"]MTS CENTRE[/ame]
Now here's the rub. This is actually a good idea. You move them to the Northwest and relocate the Avs to the Pacific Division.