Just a quick note as the hockey world sits and waits today on the bankruptcy hearing that takes place this afternoon...
Talking to all sides involved I get the strong sense that either will appeal any decision today. So don't expect there to be dancing in the streets of Hamilton. Not yet.
Talking to a few people this morning I think the best we can hope for is a road map today. I was told, "Quite often this hearing can't set the rules....and that can lead to perhaps some sort of resolution between the two sides...Make no mistake about it. This hearing is a vital piece of the puzzle, but both sides are very entrenched and are already onto what they will do next here."
The mood around the Balsillie camp is optimistic. And Jim and gang have done a great job at building up the fact that Canada wants another team. In my opinion, there is no doubt that Canada NEEDS at least one more team...Probably two. One should be in Ontario...One in Winnipeg. Jim has said repeatedly that he has tried all the normal doors and they are shut.
The NHL has also done a great job here. Yesterday getting the support from the NFL, NBA, and MLB in saying that should Jim get a team here it would set a terrible precedent. I have talked to many owners who all recall their process of obtaining teams.
I know one predominant thought that is out there among owners is "If we held an auction for an expansion franchise in Hamilton we (the owners) could see anywhere from 400-500M." This came up pretty much right away and makes me at least believe that there was likely a plan to do just that in the not too distant future.
I mean if you could get 400M for Ontario and 300M for Winnipeg why not do that?
Well, the one group that I feel terrible about here is the Coyotes fans. This really stinks for them. Don't give me that only 500 people showed up for a rally the other day. I didn't even know about that rally and I keep on these things. And to the 500 who did it has to really suck to know that their owner has bankrupted the team.
It may look bleak now Yotes fans, but hang in there...If anything the NHL may put more of a resolve on keeping the Coyotes there. I do believe that.
The one thing that does bother me about this whole debate is the anti-American stuff. However, I have to say that with the exception of very few idiots, most Canadian visitors to Hockeybuzz at least haven't gone there despite being led there by much of what they have been hit with in the debate. As I have said, growing up a hockey fan in America in the 70s and 80s I grew up rooting for Team Canada at every major international event when the US would get knocked out, I grew up LOVING everything about Canada and would force my parents to visit every year, so I hate when Canadians look to us hockey-loving Americans as less...Or when a Canadian crowd boos the anthem or our junior players...
I have been asked to weigh in on what will eventually happen in Phoenix in about 20-30 emails per day. I have talked to both sides and came up with quotes and statements that were all no different than everyone else's and all dependent on today's hearings.. So I am doing a follow up with them after today...
I don't think you can ever count out Jim Basillie. He has resolve and intelligence. I know that many people are pissed at the Board of Governors from stuff that went down, especially with the Preds and the Hamilton ticket situation. However, the ones who are angry are also smart and realize that Jim could potentially be VERY good for the sport. He is a great Canadian success story. He loves the game.
The following is purely my own speculation based on what I have heard:
In the end I believe that it will play out this way...I think the NHL will indeed grant a franchise to Canada. Maybe 2. And while that may have been the 5-10 year plan all along Jim will get credit for pushing that up the agenda list. Jim may be offered a price tag for a team or if he wants to put it to auction.
However, this will come after much back and forth in this case. It will come out of compromise, especially if Jim is granted the team today. I have my doubts that the NHL will EVER let him move them. If the court says they have to, I do believe the NHL would dissolve them first and do the auction...
UFA stuff to come...
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