Well, this is now getting REALLY interesting.
This group is a mystery, but if they are who I think they are, than I have written about this group before...actually twice over the last three years.
This is the media release about the press conference:
TORONTO, June 4
What: Announcement of a vision for NHL Expansion Franchise in
Toronto -- honouring Canadian heroes while supporting cancer
research, national scholarships and children's charities
- $1 Billion privately financed development;
five years in making
- Unprecedented annual net profit donations
- Review of economic impact
- Unveiling of team/arena name, jersey, site plan and
renderings
Who: Order of Canada Recipient Herbert Carnegie,
Future Aces Scholarship Foundation
Paul Pellegrini, Sussex Strategy Government Relations
Andrew Lopez, Toronto Legacy Group
When: Friday, June 5, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Rosewater Supper Club, Toronto
19 Toronto Street
This is VERY interesting and further goes to the point that the owners have been saying off and on the record. The Owners can get a King's ransome for a second team in Ontario.
I spoke with an anonymous source just now connected with the group and was told that I would be kept in the loop here. I was also assured that Jim Balsillie is not connected to this group...
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On Tonight....
Coach Babcock On Datsyuk:"It's (Datsyuk's) decision not mine. If he, the doctors, and the trainers feel his foot's got pop then he will play." So a gametime decision.
Meanwhile Coach Bylsma feels he is in, "If they tell you he is not playing they are lying."
Draper is also back tonight...Abdelkader (who has been a MAJOR factor thus far) is out
Oh yes.
We are really heating up.
*QUICK HIT RUMORS AS UPDATED ON THE RUMOR CHART:
*Rumors are swirling regarding the Flyers and Emery and of course the Flyers may be choosing this path because Biron wants too much money, or so reports say.
*Other sources are telling me that Biron could be getting a VERY good offer out of Colorado...
*Meanwhile, Cammalleri will NOT be back as a Flame I am told "almost 100% certain" and the Sabres and Senators are joined by Florida and Nashville as possible suitors...
*Speaking of Nashville (The only town that has a better walking around town and walking to the rink experience than Pittsburgh) I am hearing that the Predators are getting interest from the Oilers, Kings, and Coyotes regarding Radulov's rights (ah yes, THE COYOTES...The irony of a potentially NHL run club signing back a KHL defector)
*Conspiracy theorists are out in full tilt again regarding Jacques Martin in Montreal and perhaps Martin could play a part in getting his former star Jay Bouwmeester to come to the beautiful city. I don't buy for a second that Martin didn't move Jay Bo to another team so that he would still be available for any team that Martin would eventually go to, do you?
*Speaking of Toronto. Brian Burke was very candid and funny as usual the other day...Some great Burkisms...
On UFA Rumors..."I need 70 million EXTRA dollars to sign all the guys you folks are rumoring me to sign. I don't see how ANYONE can sign 3 BIG players."
ON Team USA..."The initial invitees will be announced at some point relatively soon for the Summer Camp in late August in Chicago. Don't read too much into that list. We have a long time to determine the roster and if some player is tearing it up in the NHL come the end of December they will be there."
On Orpik..."He has played well, but so have other guys like Paul Martin."
On following his former Ducks..."Of course I am routing for the players on the Ducks...I even root for the guys on Vancouver. They weren't the ones who *****ed me."
On Getzlaf..."Absolutely has turned into the complete package. He is exactly what you look for in a player. He does it all well."
On the New 'GM of the Year' award that he put on the agenda, "Figures they would get around to it the one year that I won't win it."
Did I mention lately how good this guy is for hockey...
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