In Phoenix the deal is reportedly very close to being done. I have talked to people who have been in touch with likely buyer, Matthew Hulsizer, about the corporate team he wants to assemble in Phoenix. The Ice Edge folks are connected with Hulsizer as well, but its believed to be in a smaller role than Ice Edge originally had planned. It is close to being done and people at the NHL expect it to be done by the end of the year.

Sooner than later would be great for the Coyotes and their fans. The team has player like Jovonavski to extend and has cap space to get some much needed help should a new owner want to help his team out a bit here.

It probably can't be overstated however how close this team came to returning to Winnpeg next year.

"So close," an NHL source confirmed, "Were it not for Hulsizer I would have put the likelihood of the team returning to Winnipeg at 90%."

So, while that won't be happening, what is more interesting to me is the mere fact the NHL appears perfectly fine with returning to Winnipeg. A source told me, "I can almost guarantee you the NHL will be back in Winnipeg and Quebec within 3-5 years."

This is good news, and really the right thing for the NHL to do. The fanbases in both cities deserve NHL franchises once again and there is no doubt the NHL has lacked something since both teams departed.

So are we talking re-location?

"Perhaps, but I would sooner guess expansion...although it's possible a team or two could be re-located in the next few years. That being said, I believe the NHL's ultimate goal is 32 teams. 4 divisions of 8 teams, divisional playoffs, etc."

So could the Coyotes be sold and still move?

"Absolutley. The NHL wants the new owner to at least assure he stays there and tries to make it work....but there is a parachute. If, after a reasonable period of time, the team still isn't making money the NHL will likely not stand in the way, and more likely help facilitate a move."

As for Quebec, this is not the first time I have written about the NHL returning. I was told over a year ago that once a new building was built the NHL would find a team to house in it. I was told important people in Quebec government have noted this as well.

And another name to look for is Jim Balsillie... For as "hostile take-overish" last summer's crazy Balsillie vs. NHL court dates in Arizona appeared, they actually ended with a bit of a quiet realization. For as hard as the NHL had to work to keep Yotes in the desert, I get a sense the bad blood has faded between the NHL and Balsillie.

"There are some at the NHL who grew to respect the passion Jim showed...despite the circumstances. And in the end he accepted the final decision in a much more professional manner than was anticipated. He earned some points for the future. That much is certain."

Also, there is no denying the amount of Blackberry Advertisements we see on NHL.com and at NHL Arenas. For Jim Balsillie to be putting so much money into NHL.com shows a cooling off as well.

So in conclusion, and after talking to many sources over the past week or so I believe the following:

1. The Phoenix Coyotes sale is almost complete, but sources of mine have said they still would call it 80% there....
2. If the sale falls through, and even it doesn't, the NHL is alright with putting a team back in Winnipeg.
3. Quebec will once again be an NHL city.
4. Expansion, while not on the agenda or part of the conversation right now, is likely to 32 teams when the NHL "makes it 8" in Canada.
5. Jim Balsillie could actually "make it 9" in Canada at some point, leading us to conclude perhaps one franchise from the states could eventually be moved to Canada.
6. The other Canadian team would likely be a new franchise, auctioned off, and either in Kitchener of as a second team in the Toronton area..

So I ask you...

Should the NHL go to 32 teams?
Should it return to Winnipeg and/or Quebec?
Should the NHL welcome in Balsillie as a future owner if he goes through the proper channels to do so?
Should the NHL put another team in Ontario? Or Toronto?

More to come...including a new Leaf rumor...and the Rangers and Edmonton are again talking.

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