Updated: Wed May. 06 2009 19:46:16

CTV.ca News Staff

It appears a court showdown is in the works between the NHL and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie over the fate of the Phoenix Coyotes.

A spokesperson for the league said lawyers for the NHL would appear in federal bankruptcy court in Phoenix on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

Spokesperson Frank Brown would not say what action the NHL would take in court - but earlier Wednesday NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said whether team owner Jerry Moyes had the authority to file for bankruptcy is "something we're going to look into."

Bettman wants to keep the Coyotes in Arizona. He expressed doubt on Wednesday that Balsillie could convince league owners to allow him to purchase the team.

Balsillie made a $212.5-million offer on Tuesday to purchase the ailing NHL franchise, on the condition that he can move the team to Southern Ontario.

The offer has not impressed Bettman, who has clashed with Balsillie in the past over his previous attempts to purchase an NHL franchise.

"I don't know whether or not he could get approved," Bettman said Wednesday during a meeting of commissioners from the four major professional sports leagues. "That's, as I said, something I don't get a vote on. If in fact it becomes an issue for board consideration, the board of governors of the league will make that decision."

The NHL stripped current Coyotes owner, Jerry Moyes, of his duties running the day-to-day operations of the franchise after he announced Tuesday that the team filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

According to Bettman, the bankruptcy filing did not occur because creditors wanted to be paid, but because of Balsillie's offer to buy and move the team.

The league will investigate whether Moyes had the authority to file the bankruptcy petition, Bettman said, before adding that the league would prefer to find new local owners rather than relocate the franchise.

"We think when a franchise is in trouble, you try and fix the problems," Bettman said. "That's what we did in Pittsburgh and Ottawa and Buffalo prior to our work stoppage. That's what we did when the perception was that five out of the six Canadian franchises around the turn of the century were in trouble. We fixed the problems. We don't run out on cities."

Reports suggest that, in order to hasten the process, Balsillie has told Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky that if he is able to purchase and move the team, he will build a new arena and name it after Gretzky's father.

Sports writer Howard Bloom, publisher of Sports Business News, said he has heard that Balsillie has offered Gretzky a stake in the team worth between 10 and 15 per cent. Bloom also reported speculation that Balsillie would build a new arena for the team named for Gretzky patriarch, Walter.

The overtures to Gretzky show Balsillie will do what it takes to become the owner of an NHL franchise, Bloom said, and the moves may just work.

"It's not that far-fetched. But as far as Gretzky, never say never," Bloom said Wednesday on CTV Newsnet.

"And you know one thing about Wayne Gretzky: his heart is in hockey. His heart is in his country. And I'm sure Wayne Gretzky, who has also stated that he believes there should be a second NHL franchise in Southern Ontario, would want to be a part of it."

In addition to reaching out to the Great One, Balsillie has sweetened the deal for the NHL by offering $17 million in bridge financing to keep the team alive before the sale goes through.

His offer also stipulates that every investor in the team gets "100 cents on the dollar the money they are owed," Bloom said.

"You gotta like Jim Balsillie if for no other reason his tenacious desire to do this," Bloom said. "You don't get to be a billionaire by being a bad businessman."

Balsillie, the 48-year-old co-CEO of Waterloo, Ont.-based Research in Motion -- which makes the BlackBerry wireless device -- has tried twice before to purchase an NHL team and move it to Canada.

In 2007, he tried to purchase and move the Nashville Predators to Hamilton, Ont. That offer was rebuffed. Before that, he expressed interest in purchasing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

If Balsillie's offer is accepted, the Coyotes would become the NHL's seventh Canadian franchise. It would also be the team's second stint in Canada. The team was formerly the Winnipeg Jets between 1979 and 1996.

Buying the team an 'exciting opportunity'

At a news conference on Tuesday night, Balsillie declined to say which city would host the team.

"What I will say is, I think this is an enormously exciting opportunity," he said. "I don't have to tell anyone here it's the greatest game in the whole wide world."

Balsillie has launched a website, www.makeitseven.ca, for fans to show their support for his endeavour.

Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who was with the team when it moved from Winnipeg, said Wednesday that speculation the team may be moving yet again is upsetting, but part of the game.

"There's a reason why I've stayed there and a reason why I've been in Phoenix for that long," said Doan, a native of Halkirk, Alta., who is currently competing for Canada at the IIHF World Hockey Championships in Switzerland. "It's not like I just got there. This is home for my family and my kids.

"Obviously, it'd be tough. But that's part of hockey and you deal with it."

The head of the NHL Players' Association, Paul Kelly, said the issue must be settled quickly because a new season starts in five months.

"You can't let the thing linger I would say much past the end of the month of June," Kelly told The Canadian Press in Switzerland. "I'm hopeful the sides can either come together or the court will make the time to resolve these issues."

Kelly added that he has long advocated for another team for the healthy Southern Ontario hockey market, be it in the Hamilton/Kitchener area, or a second team in Toronto.

Meanwhile, Canadian politicians are expressing their support of a second NHL team for Southern Ontario.

"I'd love another NHL team in Canada . . . particularly Southern Ontario can support another team," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday in Prague, where he is engaged in trade talks with the European Union.

Harper would not comment specifically on the Balsillie deal, but did say he has spoken to some NHL owners about the possibility of another team in the region, in addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday he would cheer for any new team in the province and believes that there are enough fans across the region to support more than one team.

But he added that he would not intervene in Balsillie's efforts to purchase the Coyotes and would not offer taxpayer funds to help move the franchise.

With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Steven B
A lot of wishes and dreams listed here, but IF this proposal has legs it WILL be southern Ontario. Economics will be the deciding factor, which has already been decided but un-communicated, with short term return and long-term prosperity the ultimate drivers. This leaves the 403 Burlington-Ancaster; Hwy 6 Hamilton-Guelph; and 401 Guelph-Kitchener areas as the most likley choice, which is already set in the mind of Mr Jim. Which will it be? Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener on the 401? Along Hwy 6? or Burlington, Hamilton or Ancaster on the 403? Only time will tell so no sense on debating or forecasting because the decision is probably already made!

(FYI - According to the Cambridge Times in 2007; Mr. Jim purchased 25.7 acres of land at 401 & Townline [Far east side of Cambridge @the 401] at the time he was pursuing the Predators)

Lorne
Bettman will do everything in his power to prevent the sale and subsequent move.
He suffers for "little man" syndrome and will use all his power to prevent this sale.
All you have to do is watch his facial expressions and this will tell you what he thinks of a possible sale.
Of course, the majority of the Governors will go along with him, to stroke his ego.

BryceReid
If Basille was smart, he'd let the Phoenix team fail fully (Chapter 12...look it up) then buy them...even the league will be begging him to take over by that time...Bettman saying they only filed chapter 11 to help the move is bull...they are in deep trouble...let them go Chapter 12, sell the assets, then Balsille can come in at cut rate price, move them to Hamilton and EVERYONE is happy :)

Won't Happen
Time for Bettman to go and be replaced with a Canadian that knows something about hockey

Steven from Montreal
Wow, I'm impressed with the overall message which I totally agree with. Basically that Bettman would rather keep the Coyotes in the good ole US of A instead of admitting that a rich Canadian can bring back a team to Canada. If Bettman had it his way, every team would go south.

Rockstar
Southern Ontario! Sounds like a fan base of Mississauga,Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Kitchener, London. Yep! Sounds like a money maker to me. Maybe I could actually afford to take my kids to an NHL game!!!!

Rockstar
WOW!!! Pretty scary how the man running the NHL is so short sighted that he can't see a good thing when it's right in front of his eyes!! Bettman will only approve the sale of the Coyotes to another American city which could care less about the sport of Hockey. The Nhl is so messed up that not even I care to watch it anymore!!

Joe Jackson
If you build it, they will come.

AlbertaBoy111
I don't recall Bettman stepping up to the plate when they were trying to move the Oilers to Houstin, oh wait he just supports American teams, thats right. He hates Canada and wants hockey to be in the states instead.

daver66
Gary NBA Bettman and Company want another Canadian team in the NHL as much as China wants our pork. I'm all for bringing a team back to Canada regardless of where it ends up and I will cheer for them but I just don't think the powers to be will allow it.

Hockey in the desert...what a novel idea...I wonder why they're broke?

DW
I'm starting to hate NHL hockey. What used to be a great game is now a game where the fans are at the bottom of the totem pole. Billionaire greedy owners, millionaire useless players who whine they aren't paid enough, sky-high ticket prices that real hockey fans can't afford. I really couldn't care about this business anymore. Bettman has wrecked any notion of "sport" in the NHL.

Alan
These are interesting comments but I think Jim Balsillie should just wait and watch the NHL struggle to deal with the faltering franchises. Find another investor in Phoenix the city with huge foreclosures and no interest in hockey.How about the move to Vegas. Not much better. Hockey wasn't selling in the south in a good economy why do they think it will sell in a poor one. How about Mexico City. Just think of the fan base on paper.

It's all disappointing when there is someone ready with cheque in hand to provide a solution. Meantime we'll enjoy our Rangers, Storm and Knights to see live hockey. I think there are generations now in Toronto that have never seen a game live because there are no tickets unless you want to buy them on a street corner.

Canadian
Its time for Canada to take our sport back. Bettman is a failure. He needs to step aside. His foray into the southern US was a failure.

Mike
If Bettman can't see the sense in this move then perhaps it's time he was replaced. Why would any sane person want to keep a money losing team in a city that obviously doesn't want it or deserve it. Let them move it to Ontario where no matter how bad they are, they'll have a fan base that will love them.

Brian in Saskatchewan
National Hockey League, my Royal Canadian ass. Bettman is bound and determined to keep all his American teams going and to hell with Canada.

Ron in the West
For whatever reason, Bettman doesn't want Balsillie involved in the NHL. Let's face it, Bettman is an idiot puppet of the owners, but Bettman himself must be intimidated by Balsillie.

Brent
Okay,

I'm from Southern Ontario and believe this is not only a great idea but an inevitability. Bettman seems to be caught up in American Patriotism and unconcerned with what makes sound logical and financial sense. I would say the best bet is Hamilton, it a city with over 500,000 people in the urban area alone and 750,000 in its CMA (not to mention being 45 minutes away from Toronto). Furthermore,it is easily accessible through the QEW and highway 403.

Ronald in Toronto
Note to Board of NHL Governors: When searching for your own butts, please consider using both hands.

This one's a "Freebie"!

L.F. Sullivan
Here we go again. I guess Mr. Bettman, so concerned about protecting city franchises, forgot about Winnipeg and Quebec City.

This is not a matter of protection in that sense, how dare anyone suggest exploring a frachise in the Maple Leaf geographic table! this is not an NHL decision; it is a dollar - big dollar - decision.

Al
Balsille should split his money among the southern Ontario OHL teams and draw the fans away from the NHL. Better return on investment.

Sam C
"We think when a franchise is in trouble, you try and fix the problems," Bettman said.

Uh... Winnipeg? Québec?

C'mon, Bettman, loosen up!


As for there already being two teams in Ontario, let's remember that the 80% of the provinces 12+ million population lives in Southern Ontario. We can support another team.

The Widowmaker
Anti-Canadian Bettman will not allow this to happen. He hates Canada and doesn't want to add a team to Canada period. Ottawa got a team because even before it started it almost failed. Bettmans plan. He was hoping it would fail then he could move it to the U.S. Anyone ever notice that Lord Biteman never put any effort to keep the Nordique of the Jets for that matter. He just let them walk. It'll be a cold day in hell before he lets a U.S. base team move to Canada. He'll do anything in his power to stop it. Hence his treat to take this to court. He is everything that's wrong with the league. Put it back to the way it was before he messed it up, put the rules back, the divions and conferences too. Then you'll have a successful league once again.

toonfan
As good as it sounds, the move won't happen. Bettmean does not want Jim Balsillie to be the owner of an NHL team here or in the U.S.

Ryan P.
Bettman will never sell one of these losing Southern franchises....it's his legacy and he won't ruin it. Hockey doesn't sell down there but a team South of Toronto would do very well.

Ted
Make it 9!
Bring back the Jets!
Bring back the Nordiques!
And establish a new team in Hamilton!

anthony
Ton Toronto
A team in Ontario sounds great,it might force the Maple Laffs crew to wake-up and consider the fans rather than the cash box. Mr. Balsillie I'm with you,but a word of caution, little Napoleon along with the other clowns especially L. Tannenbaum, won't make it happen. God forbid there should be a challenge to the EMPIRE. I even refuse to watch the Maple Laffs' games on T.V. and it costs a lot less than THE AIR CANADA CENTRE.

abtitan
Just wondering which team in the eastern conference would have to relocate to the western conference if Basille was successful. Atlanta ?

Andy in Ottawa
This is either a case of bad blood between Bettman and Balsillie, and/or of Bettman just hating to add a new canadian team to the roster. Wish Bettman would just see the fact that awarding a franchise in Canada is once again a much better option than just patching up another leakey southern american team located in the sun belt where the sport's popularity just gets evaporated in the Arizona heat.

Mel from Calgary
How about Halifax? Winnipeg? Quebec City?

I can't imagine not wanting teams where there are fans!

Art
The reason this franchise and some others in the U.S. are in real trouble is because they are not in hockey territory ( a desert as an example) .In a plan to increase advertising dollars by increasing the market demographics ,he sold the owners on a stupid idea that in the long run cost all successful teams money. Dump this guy that probably has never even strapped on a pair of skates.

Joe in Cochrane
How can you turn down 100 cents on the dollar to creditors? The Board would be wise to let this go through for this reason alone.

Paul in Brant(ford) home of the Great One
The NHL seems happy attracting the American fan after they get their fill of Basketball, Baseball, Football, NASCAR, College Sports, High School Sports, Soccer, Boxing, Darts, Gymnastics, Waterpolo, Poker, Rugby, Wrestling, Dancing-with-Stars, Skateboarding, Grass Growing, Paint Drying.....

Stephen in NB
Sadly I feel that the NHL and Gary Bettman have their own long term views on the NHL that does not involve Canada. I have watched a couple of interview between Ron McLean and Gary Bettman where they discussed new or moved franchises in Canada and it was quite obvious that there was no plans or desire (Maybe I'm the only one that took it that way) to bring another team back to Canada.

It is truly disappointing. Balsillie is a smart business man and there is no way he would bring a franchise to Canada if he thought there was too much risk involved. If Balsillie can see the potential then what is the problem with Gary and the other league owners. Possibly just their own agenda?

I truly hope that Balsillie is given the opportunity to buy this team and bring it back to Canada.

Esteban
Time to get rid of Bettman. He's long overstayed his welcome. Gretzky for NHL commissioner.

Scott from Thorold
MAL is just plain wrong.

The Kitchener/Waterloo triangle has the 1)population and fan base that would include London/Guelph/Hamilton, it has 2) A strong economy with a wealthy fan base and 3) enough Corporate Head Offices to purchase the necessary suites and luxury boxes.

The Kitchener/Waterloo triangle is far enough away from Buffalo, who draw from the 400K people who live in Niagara Region and far enough away from Detroit who pulls from Windsor.

The KW Coyotes !!!!!!!

Unfortunately, it will never happen as Bettman views a move from USA to Canada as a complete and utter failure and will fight it tooth and nail.....and win.

JB in Calgary
Ya save teams like Quebec and Winnipeg right? Give me a break Gary.

If this guy wants to pump that much money into the NHL let him, who the hell are you and the board to stop him.

fitzz
Commissioner demonstrates conclusively once again that he does NOT have the interests of hockey as his first priority. Does the game need a new commish?

Jared in Winnipeg
His proposal is fantastic.. we all know that Canada is all hockey.. regardless of where the team went it would be a huge success. I would love to see the team come to winnipeg but this issue has been discussed and exhausted, I hope to see the NHL back in the city but we have the Moose which BTW are #1!!!! lol... but anyways... I hope Gary Bettman has some brains and can appreciate that Southern Ontario sure as hell would have better fan support and financial support than phoenix could ever offer.

Tim Doyle
Gary Bettman is destroying hockey in general. He moves the league HQ from Montreal to NY in his first move to take power from Canada and then he gladly lets Quebec, Hartford, and Winnipeg lose their franchises rather than "try and work with them". Now that things have turned around why aren't Canadian sites being allowed back in? For the record, I recently went to game 2 of NJ vs Carolina and bought a seat ten rows up from center ice 5 minutes after the game started...in the playoffs! Sound like the US market is clamouring for hockey? I don't think so!

JZ
"We don't run out on cities".

Correction: We don't run out on American cities!

Move the team to Kitchener!

Alan
Gary Bettman doubts that Jim Balsillie can convince the league owners that he should buy the team. It really comes down to 2 owners, the Leafs and the Sabres. As far as the rest of them go who knows who they are anymore. Of these 2 it is really the Leafs that want no part of Balsillie. Why share a market and revenues. Who wants competition. Put a lousy team on the ice decade after decade and people still come and the Leafs make a profit. It is simply a monopoly.

AJW
How can a team file for bankruptcy because a person wants to buy an NHL team. Gary Bettman doesn't like Canada anyway and if he had his own way there would be no teams in Canada.

Gary Bettman should be fired.

Hockey Fan in Ontario
Bettman personifies American arrogance. He does not want another Canadian team. I doubt if he has ever even put a pair of skates on in his life. Come on Bettman, hockey belongs in Canada, not if Arizona. Give your head a shake.

Harvey
The Klingon Empire wants a NHL franchise too!

Qapla'

Would the NHL allow a billionaire rogue owner to dictate terms to them....Look at how Dallas
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is constantly rubbing their league.

Bettman sees Balsillie as a thorn in his side. This is his third attempt to buy a team and force a move.

What if it was the other way around?
A billionaire buying a Canadian team to move it?

Wendel in Toronto
How many southern states have 2 teams and how are they doing financially? Not very well to say the least!
Could Quebec,Manitoba,Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan gather enough steam to support a team? They probably could but most likely just for a short time. To be honest, Canada can't afford to screw this up! It's a guarantee that Ontario will get another team. It's all just a matter of time. As for not screwing this up.....Just think how many yankee's will be hoping for us as a country to fail in supporting another team? Even though this team in question (and there are many more) is rightfully ours, those polite and generous neighbours to our south will be absolutely foaming at the mouth to see us fail! It's the american way...Point fingers and say "I told ya so"!
Regardless, there is no doubt that we will be able to support another franchise here and although Winnipeg would be nice, the money just ain't there, period!
Oshawa though? Hmmmmm...No traffic. Huge in hockey tradition. Take the 401 East for 20 minutes from T.O.
Much friendlier people than in T.O.
Here's voting for Southern Ontario for sure but taking it one step further, Oshawa sounds like a pretty good idea too!
GO CANADA GO!

Marg
Bring them back to Canada, then more Canadian kids can end up playing on a Canadian team, rather than a US one. It seems to me that the majority of players on the US teams are originally from Canada, and have grown up playing through the ranks of small towns throughout Canada. Let's bring some of them HOME!!!!!!!!!

Mark
I believe to increase status amoung major league sports and ultimately attract US TV dollars, the National Hockey League has to keep a wide footprint throughout the USA. That is in the best interest of the majoritity of owners and part of the Commissioner's priority. It's also in the best interest of people around the world who love hockey for hockey to have a wide footprint; ultimately that helps attract the best athletes to the sport. Mr. Balsillie may have his own business interests however in this case they may run counter to the league and the game's best interest. I question his diplomacy and the possible high handed nature of putting Wayne Gretzky on the spot to support him. These owners are all powerful people and it's a better and bigger league strategy to get along with them to move ideas forward than to fight.

Warren in toon town
Gary Bettman it's not the owners, you did not want the Jets in Wpg. and now you don't want a team in the best market in the world. Maybe the people who pay to watch hockey and pay well as a matter of fact should maybe have a vote to see if you are capable of doing your job as commissioner. I'm thinking maybe the commisisioner should be a Canadian who maybe knows something about the game of hockey. How many teams in the southern states will be on the chopping block now, great idea Gary to move, and start up teams in the south were the only thing they knows is how many more times the car has to go around the track to finish the race.

jay
Marty
LA has 2 teams they don't support them.

Nate from Southern Ontario
I kinda find it funny that the NHL didn't make such a stink when the Winnipeg Jets were bought and promptly moved to Arizona. Or, the Quebec Nordiques were bought and moved to Colorado. What's the difference? If Mr. Bassilie has the money and wants to move the team, let him. At least the team will flourish in Southern Ontario.

Dunny from the Manotick Arena
If Bettman doesn't allow this to happen he should be shown the door.

Lisa MacColl
K-W, Guelph-London have very successful OHL Franchises. The fans in Kitchener are hockey-mad, loyal fans. The population would support an NHL team. Jim Balsillie is well respected in the community, and that alone would get the people behind the team.
Now let's get the NHL on side and get at it!

Cindy
New York has 3 teams, Rangers, Islanders and the Sabers. The Devils are so close they might as well be across the street. there is no doubt Southern Ontario can support another team. (Hope he has better prices than the Leafs) The biggest thing standing in the way is Bettman. Why hasn't someone gotten rid of him yet? He wants to put a team in Vegas for his buddy Bruckheimer. It doesn't matter to bettman whether or not it can support a team only that he can be seen with the "beautiful people" and the stars so he can be important.The fact that he care nothing for the game has been apparent for years. Send him back to the the NBA and get someone in power that actually knows what the puck looks like, and can follow it without red lines on the tv. Give Balsillie a team and let him move it where he wants. What is the alternative? Have them go bankrupt? The Coyotes needed a bailout just to make payroll. Balsillie can buy the team, pay the team and build a new arena without needing a loan. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Bill
That's the problem with the owner's, they would rather see another owner fail in Phoenix than let one succeed in Canada, would it not be better of for the league to have another team in Canada?

Victor in Vaughan
Here's a question from the business community in the GTA:

If my company bought season's tickets for a team in Southern Ontario, who would drive 60 minutes to 80 minutes to watch hockey ?

It won't fly in Southern Ontario, but it would fly in Vaughan. The heart of the GTA is the only way it makes sense.

Alan in Kitchener
Bettman is pulling this classic corporate move of clinging on to a bankrupt venture, just as long as it stays American.
I would love to see another Canadian team and wish Balsillie the best of luck.
I know I'll be buying tickets if it comes to southwestern Ontario.

Scott
Bettman don't be an a$$. Pheonix has no ability to support an NHL franchise, that should be clear with the current owner having to file for bankrupcy.

As for your comment about "prefer to find new local owners rather than relocate the franchise" - where was that thinking when the team was moved from Winnipeg!

JROC
Why doesn't he just buy the HABS?

JPC
If they don't run from cities what do you call the exodus from Winnipeg and Quebec City?

The NHL's insistance in forcing hockey onto the American market is obviously not working. Folks in the U.S. love baseball and football. Bring the game home where it is not only loved but in some places worshiped!

Simon in London
Some of you Canuckle Heads just don't get it. It's not Bettman that is against Basille and he never has been. The NHL is run by the power brokers of the big 7 and he only needs those votes to do anything. He also must keep them happy by keepign teams outta other peoples regions in that 72 KM circle.

NY, Philly, Chi, Bos, Det, Tor, LA and many other groups are solidly behind Bettman and they work hand in hand. If they say Gary block this move or sale he jumps as high as they ask. Also for you Canadian fans in the West & East, do you really think the Fans in Boston or Rangers will be looking forward to home games against Winnipeg or Halifax. Give your heads a shake and wake up.

Everyone thinks it's Jim Bassille vs. Bettman which is so far from the truth. He is the puppet on strings for the big 7.

And you Flames/ Oilers fans really have short memories. Your teams were on life support for so long and I believe Edmonton still gets revenue sharing, most recently they took that money and raked Burkes Ducks of a good player paid for by other teams.

JROC
Errrr I hate Gary Bettman

Ian
BRING BACK THE JETS. THE TEAM SHOULD BE MOVED BACK TO WINNIPEG. COMMON NHL APPROVE THE DEAL.

Roadrobber
This will mean that Ontario will have two real hockey teams...Ottawa and Hamilton.

Rob
Frustrating!!! Lets keep putting teams in the southern US where the markets are crumbling (Atlanta, Tampa, Phoenix) instead back in Canada where fans actually care about the game. Sad when we have someone who can actually finance a team, keep it afloat and bring another rivalry to the division. All I can say is give Bettman the boot and bring in someone who wants to see the NHL thrive.

MAL
Well, in answer to your comments....

Calgary is good now, it wasn't 10 years ago. That's why I said there's always a fire under ONE of those teams, just not at the same time. It has more to do with TV revenue, hockey is not in the same ballpark as the other majors and without it, hockey will always appear to be second rate, even though we know there isn't an NFL game around that can stand up to the last two minutes of a 2-1 hockey game.

As for population base in SW Ontario.... people don't travel. They say they will but after the novelty wears off in a year or two the host city would have to support it alone . I love London and would not be displeased to see it get a team or K-W [both are great cities to raise families]but the team wouldn't last and as said the territory rights would have people in court for decades, unless he bought the Sabres.

I personally don't want another Toronto team or GTA team.... nobody that works for a living can buy tickets anyways for the Leafs.

Lastly, you're looking at a technology billionaire that has already had some issues with the stock exchange. When I lived in Edmonton we thought the sun rose around Peter Pocklington.... we were smartened up by the world at large really quickly.

I just don't want to see another Quebec or Winnipeg where the city falls in love with a team but the US teams don't want 'unknown' cities and pressure the league to move the K-W Kavaliers to Oklahoma City. I'd take London vs. Calgary for the cup over Anaheim/Nashville any day.

Good comments everyone. PASSION!!!

Linda in Vancouver
Doesn't the argument that it's impossible to get a ticket to Leaf games kind of defeat the logic of putting another team within spitting distance of Toronto.? It seems to me that sell outs are the goal of every team in the league.If this new team was successful,it would be sold out as well.If it's not successful,it was obviously a bad idea right from the start.
As to letting "people who can't get to see a game now" have more access,I agree with those who suggest locations in Canada that are farthest from existing franchises.
Toronto isn't the ONLY city that sells out.One poster tells me Calgary is always sold out.And I know Vancouver doesn't play in front of empty seats.It's been a long time since a game here hasn't been sold out too.A very long time.
PM Harper may favour the idea.But even if he waved a wand and made it happen,he wouldn't get very many votes in Ontario.
Me? I don't expect for one minute that this is going to happen.Not Toronto or any other city in Canada.To many USA owners who want to grow the game down there will block this move.

Caper
Of course the NHL does not want another team in Canada!! We know hockey, more than Bettman for sure!

Marty
Let's ask a question:

Can southern Ontario support another team?

Let's ask another one:

Can the hockey "market" Los Angeles support two teams? Oh wait... they do have to teams.

MuskyBuck
I'm glad to hear there is much more than 'Southern Ontario Self Interest' by the board of governors.

There is no reason justifiable enough to grant a third team to Ontario when there is area's in Canada with no representation at all.

Once the market in Canada has been filled then you 401 citizens have your chance.

PT
"We don't run out on cities"...I'm not sure I'm hearing you correctly Mr. Bettman. Maybe they should run right back to Winnipeg where they belong. This team should really be in Canada.

rj-makemy day
Interesting idea, but I think that Balsillie is putting the proverbial "cart before the horse!" Why is the new location unnamed. Shouldn't the new (Ontario) city approve of everything, in public, first?

Don't forget that most of the NHL owners are American (including Bettman). Do you think Americans give a s--t about Ontario. This whole deal isn;t going to get approval, so I'd say don't hold your breath. LOL

Hockey is OUR game
I agree with all those who feel we should have another team in Canada. The S. Ont market would support the team very well. But unfortunately we've allowed our league and sport to be dominated by a short American lawyer and some rich American owners. They keep believing that the big TV contract is just around the corner and that the American public is still getting used to the game and just needs more time. Sorry Canadians, we won't see this happen until Bettman is gone. He doesn't get it, that high school football and basketball outdraw the NHL is most American markets. He'd rather waste OUR time on American friends in Kansas City (HMM didn't work before (see Atlanta), but let's try again)or Vegas. Sorry Canadians, we won't see this happen until Bettman is gone. Where is Chris Chelios and is that offer still open?

Quebec Pal
Keep at it Jim. It's the right economic climate in the U.S. to get this deal done (probably at a discount). Watch out, Bettman's going to try to outflank you and kill it. Makes me think. Is there something personal between you two?

MK
approve it? they don't have much choice. who else would buy a failing team like that especially in this economy either let him buy the team or continue letting the NHL bleed money by keeping them on life support. I wouldn't be surprised anyway cause as long as Gary is in power there is never going to be another Canadian team in the NHL

Military Guy from Petawawa
Fire Bettman and make Ballsillie the commissioner. We've had lock-outs, teams not doing well financially. We even see the NHL trying to prop up teams (they don't own them but like to control them). Ballsillie has the money, the smarts, and the passion for the game to do a better job. And he loves Canada.

If that doesn't work, let him have a team in S. Ontario. It will thrive. And great idea about the Walter Gretzky Arena.

Name idea: The Blackberries?

Tom in Kingston
Bettman will fight this as long as he can. He wants hockey in non traditional areas, it's his baby. I would love to see another Cdn team, be it in southern Ont, Wpg, or QC. I suspect this may get nasty and dragged around in the courts for a while yet.

Tom

Ray Luft
Fan: Look around. You are a declining species. The Leafs should support another team in Ontario. Maybe then they wouldn't be the worst of a bad lot.

RedFoxOne
Sorry to break this to you, but there won't be a new NHL team in southern Ontario.

NHL teams have 'territorial rights', meaning they have the right to veto any team planning to move into their territory.

It was heavily rumoured that Buffalo and probably also Toronto used this power to thwart a new team in Southern Ontario during the last expansion. No reason they won't do it again, especially Buffalo.

Sorry Mr. Balsillie and Hamiltonians - with or without Gretzky's support, it's just a pipe dream. Time to start thinking about where else the Coyotes might move.

CB
Where is the offer from Winnipeg?
Every time there's a story about an NHL team from the southern US being in financial trouble,the die hards of the Winnipeg Jets write in how Winnipeg should have an NHL team.
I'm from Winnipeg and I don't think anybody has deep enough pockets to buy the team without an infusion of lots of government money.
Go Jets Go.
They're out of Winnipeg and soon to be out of Phoenix.

Alex (Toronto)
Toronto could support three or four NHL teams. More hockey will be good for everyone, including our neighbors.

Put the new arena in Mississauga (up the 403 from Gretzky's Brantford). Better traffic for everyone.

the Sens fan......
Hmm another team in Ontario... WAHOOO

I say go for it.. if this deal is rejected Bettman should be fired... He has had it out for Canadian teams since he started..

Canadian teams continue to thrive...... and bring good money to the NHL......

Natasha ON
As much as I'd like to see the team moved here, there's no way Bettman will let that happen! Where was the NHL when the Jets and Nordiques were in trouble? Why didn't the NHL do everything to sustain them here? Because Bettman wants the NHL to be American. I'm behind Balsillie and hope he's successful!

Carolina from Oak Ridges
How about calling the team the RIMshots?

Bob Mercier
New York City has in fact 3 teams (Rangers, Islanders and the Devils); non-hockey LA has 2 teams, and super non-hockey Florida has 2 teams! Yes, Toronto can support 2 teams, one hell of a lot better that Phoenix can support 1.

Questionable Name....
Okay, I get that Walter Gretzky is a great guy...
However, naming an arena after him? Hmmmm.....
Doesn't really matter as the arena that they will build will probably be named after some corporation...
Why not the Terry Fox Memorial Arena? Terry Fox is probably the greatest Canadian icon of the past thirty years.
No disrespect to Walter, but I think the Gretzky clan has had enough accolades bestowed upon them.

Robert skates in Calgary
Be more considerate when you talk about how many people live within an hours drive of Kitchener. The games start at 7:30. Weekend games would be no problem, but getting off work at 5pm and expecting to be in an arena seat in a city an hours drive away on the 401 through rush hour traffic would raise second thoughts. What is one hour during the day can be two hours or more during rush hour.

Tom in Toronto
What will this new team be called?

"The Toronto Blackberries"

Clem
Bettman will never agree to move the team from the US to Canada.
Balsillie is already sucking up to Gretsky by naming the arena after daddy.

Bill
I think Detroit, Toronto and Buffalo would lose little fan base if the team was located in the Kitchener area and would gain greater revenues buying playing sold out away games in Kitchener as opposed to the empty arena in Phoenix

TJC
As much as I, along with most it seems, would love to see another NHL team in SW Ontario, it will not happen with Bettman at the helm. He's got a hard on for the American south. Banking heavily on a market that has shown no sustainability. We need a mutiny in the NHL's upper echelon and have Bettman replaced. Case in point.

Doug
I love the Kitchener Waterloo area but you guys aren't even smart enough to amalgamate your cities which to me seems like an obvious move when there is no actual dividing line, Hamilton has about twice the population base when you look at Oakville, Burlington, Missasauga and the Niagara region combined with Hamilton.

Rick
If it's got Walters name on it then it should be in Brantford !!!

Close to the Tri-Cities, Hamilton, London and the 403 runs right through the middle.

Sam
ABSALOUTLEY Kitchener-Waterloo, London and surrounding area has the population and the “upandcommings” to support a team. And I live near Hamilton!! GO GO GO!! Anybody that doesn’t think so…should go back to supporting Toronto teams..YUCK!

Mike
I don't want to say it will never happen, but let's be realistic. Betman has to be the star of this leauge. He wants to be just like David Stern his old boss in the NBA. I can't see him having an owner bigger than he is in the NHL. RIM has a market cap of 42 Billion. The NHL is unknow, but I doubt the value of all the teams in the NHL even come close to that. Betmans ego, and fear of having some one he can't control in the league will keep the our would be RIM CEO from ever owning a team. Let alone moving it to S. Ontario. When out spoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks wanted to buy the Pittsburg Penguins, the deal fell through. I wonder why a man flush full of cash from the dot com wouldn't be allowed to buy the team. How could that deal not work....Just think about who runs the league every one. The only way I see it happening is if Jim can call in a favour to the White House where so many politicians, including President Obama to suggest Betman allow him to have a team. Those reading may not like my pessimism, but there has to be a reason why our beloved RIM CEO hasn't been given a team yet.

I'm out

Mike

Anne
I think it's great that Jim Balsillie wants to create a team here in Ontario!Hopefully,it will create jobs and will have a lot of people going to games...let's hope that the price for tickets will be cheap,due to this bad recession that we are in!Good luck Jim...I hope your money will be worth the wait in gold! :)Thank's for thinking of us in Canada!

Carolina from Oak Ridges
It's a fantastic idea to put another team in southern Ontario. The competition alone should force the Maple Loafs to put a decent product on the ice. Right now they have the monopoly on mediocrity.

I'm all for it!

Kelly
I think London would be the perfect place to host an NHL team.
2 hours to Toronto
2 hours to Detroit

What do we have within an hours drive... Cambridge, Kitchener, Sarnia, Chatham, Exeter, Stratford and St Thomas

We have the John Labatt centre and The Western Fair Sports complex which has an olympic size rink plus 3 NHL size rinks.

Lorne
Hockey.....who cares?

Jim Pickering.
Hamilton and Oshawa should have an NHL team.

Frank in Vaughan
I have just two words as the solution here... the "Vaughan Victors". Being the City Above Toronto, it only makes sense that we should have an opportunity to host Canada' s seventh NHL team. If cities like Winnipeg (a 2nd rate city in my opinion- sorry, no offense) have been considered, then CERTAINLY a young and upcoming city such as Vaughan be considered. This city has great diversity, great potential sites for the future "Walter Gretzky Centre", and above all it has GREAT FANS. Let's hope that Basillie gets this done.

Al
Brantford would be an excellent choice. It's the home of the Gretzky family and the city could use the economic shot in the arm. It is also easy to get to from London, Kitchener, Hamilton, etc.

Don
For most people in southern Ontario, it's like we don't have a team at all. It is basically impossible to get a Leafs ticket. I try at the beginning of the season, the moment they go on sale. Only once in several years have I managed to get tickets for a game. I'm a Leafs fan, but they might as well be 2,000 miles away for how easy it is to see a game live. Unless I want to pay a scalper a huge price, I can't.

So I think that putting another team in southern Ontario would give more Canadians, who couldn't otherwise, a chance to see a live Canadian NHL game than moving a team to Winnipeg or Atlantic Canada would. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see lots more teams throughout Canada. They should move teams from the US arid West and US South to:
1. Kitchener, Ontario
2. Somewhere in the GTA (maybe Vaughan or Oshawa).
3. Halifax
4. Quebec City
5. Winnipeg
6. Regina

Mark
As a Hamilton taxpayer. Sell Jim Copps Coliseum for a dollar, he can fix it up and run it the way he wants. Hey Gary, the only logical choice is the Hammer. Ready and waiting.....

Brian from Barrie
This move just makes sense. It is apparent that the people of Phoenix do not support the team. Do you blame them? They live in the desert! Put the team in a location that people would attend. If you put it in the Kitchener Waterloo area, you draw from a huge population. Hamilton, Guelph, Brantford etc. Hopefully Bettman can put his personal feelings aside concerning Canada and Basillie and do the right thing!

RZ
Hell yeah! I'm all for another NHL franchise in Canada. However, I think it would have been better placed in Winnipeg or Québec City, given that they've had NHL franchises before.

David in NB.
The first thing that comes to mind is this:
If Southern Ontario were to get an NHL team, then Toronto would want one too.

OK, that's out of the way. Many cities have been dismissed in this forum as having too few residents to support a team. Let me take London as an example.
The John Labatt Centre only holds 9000, and is less than ten years old. Mr. Moneybags could either build on to increase capacity there, or he could simply build another arena, perhaps near the Western Fairgrounds. Whereever.
Anyway, not only would the 350,000+ residents of London come to the games, but also from the surrounding area. I'm pretty sure that if the prices were competative with those in Buffalo, Detroit and Toronto, then people from Windsor through to Niagara Falls would make the 2 or so hour drive in to watch a game. Heck, people in Ottawa drive 2 hours to see a game within their own city! The national capital region has a population of just over one million, and they support the Senators quite well. Beyond the NCR are very few large communities. Ottawa is "about" two hours from Montreal, and both teams fare well.
London is serviced by an international airport, two of the "four hundred series" highways, as well as by rail. Centrally located in South Western Ontario, and pretty close to Mr. Moneybags' town of Waterloo, it would make perfect sense for London to have its very own NHL club, playing initially at the John Labatt Centre (sharing with the London Knights, of course), and then moving on to a larger facility OR making the JLC even bigger.

FYI, I used to live in London, but no longer do. I'm in NB now.

Ian- Alberta
To the guy who said Edmonton has financial problems... umm might want to do some catching up there. We have a multi billionaire owner (Darryl Katz) and have sold out over 100 games in a row at home. How many teams in the US have sold out 100 plus games in a row? Hockey is a Canadian game.. more teams in Canada please. Give one back to the Peg as well thanks.

Steve the Pundit
Works on so many levels: strong base of potential customers who actually give two hoots about the game of hockey (i.e. Canadians). Plus it would give Toronto incentive to try and improve the substandard product they've been peddling for years. Imagine the rivalry that will be fostered, which can only help both teams. Those "home & home" series games would kick butt!

Plus, it gives all of us living in the 905 another reason NOT to go into traffic-unfriendly Toronto.

Believe me: If you build it, we will come.

Kevin from Toronto
I'm not sure what factors determine whether a city or owner is a suitable candidate, or whether there's some long term plan that the NHL has that we don't know about, but hockey is Canada's game! It's sad that a few executives in the U.S. are hog-tying the game. Hockey is for the fans and we're letting business get in the way of the fan experience and growth potential. I say we take our teams out of the NHL and start our own league (the Canadian Hockey League). How long would the NHL last without Canadian teams? Not only should Southern Ontario have another team (or two), but Quebec and Winnipeg should have teams.

MRC in Ontario
Go, Balsillie!!!! That's pure class to name the arena after Gretzky's father. It sickens me when I hear fantastic original names like "Skydome" become "Rogers Centre", or "The Forum" become "Molson Centre", or "The Palladium" become "Scotiabank Centre". Where's the class anymore? Go, Balsillie!!

This is really a slam dunk.
NYC has three teams, not two (NJD are basically in a NYC suburb).

People drive 2-3 hours now to see a pitiful Leafs team play, paying for expensive tickets; they;ll drive less (and even more) to see a what will become an exciting young team play in K-W for tickets at a lower price -- no doubt about it.

NHL has to stop protecting markets that won't support a team. If Detroit can't support the best franchise in the League ($9 for a tickets!?!), well, at some point it's just 'tough noogies'.

Balsillie would be a good owner. Not a huge fan of his following the back-dating of options at RIM, but he's smart, wealthy, and a big hockey fan.

MuskyBuck
What a complete and total unfair pitch.

Smart move by Mr. Blackberry.

I will say this, move this team into the southern Ontario corridor and I'll guarantee animosity, venom and alienated Canadians.

Two teams within the same province isn't a problem, we see that in Alberta.

But Ontario already has two teams, well ...counting Toronto of course.

This is Winnipegs team.
They lost it because of bad local ownership/structure etc etc not because the fan base wasn't there.

Winnipeg didn't lose this team as other city's who just stopped paying for tickets...therefore they deserve first rights to get it back if Phoenix doesn't pan out.

Oh and by the way...I was on the air in Winnipeg when the Jets moved, I said it then and I guess I can say it now...

Stealing Winnipegs team to move it to Phoenix will amount to a waste of time, money and a lot of hearts...they won't last and I'll put money on it.

Now who's gonna pay up? Bettman?

And I'm not even a Jet's fan.

Alan
Short and sweet....
Get rid of Bettman and bring on Balsillie! And this from a die-hard Leaf fan.

Doug BC
I'm not a big supporter of the notion that Ontario is the right location for another team.In a better world I would prefer to see Atlantic Canada,or Winnipeg with a team playing our favourite,national sport.
However,I concede that making the business case for smaller markets is a huge problem.In spite of his eastern bias,I quite like Balsillie.Obviously losing a ton of money in a smaller market would be in no one's best interest.I also get the impression the NHL would prefer an American city.It seems like they really want to build a cash cow south of the border.It's been a hard sell in so many US cities but the revenue from TV can be extremely attractive in a game that really is more about the money than it is about the sport.
The "sport" side of the equation has me favouring a different Canadian location if he got the team.But the "business" aspect is not easy for any smaller market team.I would support Ontario if it was Canadas only chance for another team.But still prefer to see the sport available in more parts of Canada,rather than concentrated in some pockets of the country.

R-in-ONT
Come on folks....
Winnipeg, Quebec ??? Been there done that. Only southern Ontario could support it. Vaughan, Hamilton, Kitchener likely sites.

Frank
Hamilton would have to be the logical choice. The arena is older but was built for future expansion. Basillie will take over the arena from the city, upgrade the facility and rename it for Walter Gretzky. Makes a lot of sense. If the court accepts his offer to buy Betman loses cause all Basillie will have to do is fall back on the US Supreme Court ruling called the "Al Davis" rule when he moved the Raiders from Oakland to LA. Tha's why Betman does not want Basillie to get the team. As far as TO and Buffalo are concerned there are laws around that can force them to deal or get penalized by law. I think both cities will like a cash infusion. Buying a team in bankruptcy was well planned this time around. Looks good on Betman. If it was not for the Canadian franchises where would the NHL be today.

Mike B.
I think this would be great for Canada......but I just do not see Bettman allowing a team to move up into Canada.

If that team moves anywhere....it will move to a city like Las Vegas or Kansas City. The brass in the NHL do not want another team in Canada....which I think is a real shame cause we certainly have the fanbase to support another team.

I hope that Balsillie is able to acquire the team, but past events lead me to belive that the NHL will not allow this to happen!

R.Brown.
Hamilton's Copps arena is only a few months of upgrades away from being NHL ready. We all know that it is the Leafs who are against it, enough of this monopolized greed. We in Hamilton would easily support an NHL club, it is so sad that the only argument is that it will hurt Buffalo. If any other city cannot support it's own team then it should not have one to begin with.

Don
@Nanook, Mal:
The population within 1-hour of Kitchener is greater twice that of the entire population of Winnipeg. Don't get me wrong, I'd love for Winnipeg to get a team again, too. But I don't think you can say Kitchener doesn't have the population base and then say Winnipeg does.

Don in Waterloo

Rick in Southern Ontario
MAL-

What would this have to do with Buffalo and Detroit? Those fanbases, for the most part, are within the borders of the US. As far as having the fan base in London, Kitchener, or Hamilton, there are plenty of people. It would be S. Ontario's team in the way that the Sens are E. Ontario's team. That's kinda the reason why Dalton McGuinty and Stephen Harper think S. Ontario having a team of their own is such a great idea. As far as financial troubles, the CBA helps keep smaller market teams afloat which is in stark contrast to what the NHL had prior to the new deal.

Financially, for the NHL, S. Ontario is like an undiscovered gold mine. Having the Gretzky name added to it just makes it that much more lucrative. If Bettman stops this one, he must be mentally ill.

Don
Kitchener doesn't have the population base?

Within about 1 hour of Kitchener:
Waterloo Region (incl. Kitchener): 500,000
Peel Region (incl. Mississauga, Brampton): 1,200,000
Hamilton: 500,000
Halton Region (incl. Burlington, Oakville): 450,000
Wellington County (incl. Guelph): 200,000
Brant County (incl. Brantford): 125,000
Oxford County: 100,000
Perth County (incl Stratford): 75,000

Total population: 3,150,000

Frank
MAL,

1) Why should we care what impact a new Canadian NHL team would have on Detroit and Buffalo?

2) Also, you're assuming they'd play in Copps - but a new stadium could be built.

3) London, Kitchener and Waterloo don't need the population base individually to support a team - it's the regional population that matters. And it's 7 million.

bob
While it is true that Copps Coliseum is not up to par for an NHL team it could be retrofitted for much less than the construction of a new facility. It is right in the downtown core of the city of half a million people. Let it come to Hamilton!!

Mary out West
MAL - I don't know where you get your info, but it's been decades since you could get a season's ticket to a Flames game, let alone getting a single game ticket without jumping through major hoops. I assume you're talking about franchise dollar numbers instead. It's too bad Regina couldn't get a franchise. There would never be an empty seat in the house, and there would be more cross country representation, and that doesn't even mention Manitoba. Dollars talk.

Andy
This deal makes sense. The hockey market in Southern Ontario is solid to say the least. Balsillie has deep pockets. Gretzky is from the area originally. Let's hope Bettman doesn't screw this opportunity up.

markass
Lets bring the Great One back to Canada (and let him be prime Minister)! The Kingston Coyotes has a nice ring to it!

MisterD
The USNHL will get in the way of this again. Bettman has been so bad for hockey and the sheep just keep following him. Best of luck to Mr. Balsillie's latest attempt but stupid often wins over smart.

Mike
I'm an Ottawa fan and I think this is a no-brainer! Give him the team! There are tonnes of ppl south and West of Toronto who want a real team and have been forced to support the Leafs. Leave the Leafs to the blind T.O. supporters and let the NHL grow in what is a hugely untapped market!

Keith Alexander
Good luck to Mr. Balsillie, he'll have a number of wolves (ie. existing franchises) nearby for his coyotes to contend with. Growing up, I was always a Leafs fan (weren't the late 60's something?), that is until Harold Ballard fought tooth and nail to sink Edmonton and Calgary's applications. Now there's no team I enjoy more seeing hammered by Alberta and B.C. teams than Toronto.

I think it would be great to see another Ontario team. Bring hockey to the fans who grew up with it, live and breathe it rather than the south where its just another amusement.

Besides, for the Oilers, Flames and Canucks, dining on nice fresh Ontario raised Coyote meat would be lip smackin' good.

Anne
Well, maybe another team in Southern Ontario would allow some of us lesser beings who orbit Toronto to be able to attend some NHL games - at a reasonable price. As for Buffalo and Detroit - those cities scare me to death to walk around in. I attended a Buffalo hockey game once and shook all the way to and from my car. Thanks but no thanks.

Jason
Move them to Ottawa.....oh wait.

Mike in ON
I think Balsillie is showing exactly why he should be permitted to buy this team. He's a hockey FREAK, has the money to pull it off, and on top of it all, has the class to recognize (arguably) the world's greatest hockey dad.

Many are screaming for this team to be located in Winnipeg or Halifax - but there's one major stumbling block there: no one in either of these cities has come up with the cash to buy a team. Why would Balsillie want to locate his team in a city that he has no connection to? It only makes sense that he'd want to ATTEND the games as much as possible - so why would you bring a team to a city that's not even remotely close to where you live/work?

Go get 'em, Jimmy!

al
If this doesn't go through maybe they should consider Balsillie for commissioner instead. He has a lot more foresight than Bettman!

Jason, A Proud Canadian Hockey Fan!
Bring it home Jim, Bring the team HOME!!

This is so exciting and I hope that Bettman will allow this to happen. What better then a team that is loved and seat that are filled. $$ maks the world go around and Jim Ballsillie's got enough of it to make this team financially productive. Gretzky needs to help make this happen. He needs to make it known that moving the team back to Canada, it will be supported by all Canadians!! His influence will get the deal done. What a great moment opening night will be with Wayne as Head Coach of a CANADIAN hockey team in ONTARIO!!

Can't wait for Hamilton get have this team!!!

Plant the team in KW or Guelph area.
People in west Toronto can drive to games just as easily as they would drive to downtown Toronto.

Balsillie has enough loot to build a new city.

Dan in Calgary
to MAL:

I don't know where you get your stats, but Calgary is very solid financially, in fact it is one of the better performers in the league right now, with one of the smaller markets. Games sell out regularly.

Give Ontario another team!

Manny
I say move it to Quebec and rename them the Nordiques! :)

Jim in Edmonton
This guy is a good business man. The key to the future of the NHL is to get rid of Gary Betman and bring in someone who is a real hockey guy. Gary has done some good things for hockey, no question but it's time to move forward with some new ideas.

Nanook The Sabre
I agree, Mal. Winterpeg may be the best alternative, or Quebec City? Buffalo would hurt for sure.

Call me Happy !
The Walter Gretzky Arena... has a better ring than the Balsillie Barn !! ;-)

Fan
I love the idea for a 7th NHL team actually there should be a lot more Canadian teams than that, but i am a leafs fan and that would drastically affect our fan base and think of it why here when there are other big city's for another franchise

kevin in CYQT
New york has 2 teams...why not toronto?

Airforceguy933
Southwestern Ontario could easily support this team. Kitchener, ON.. Have a look what is within one hours drive. Millions of people. If you live in Vaughn, does it not take you an hour to get to the ACC??

Brett
I think that the Kitchener area would be perfect. The area has about 450000 people(including Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo). It is also about an hour from Toronto and an hour from London and less from Hamilton. I think that is more than enough to support a team. Also they would most likely build the arena privately which would mean nothing from the taxpayers which is another plus.

Tono
Gary Bettman, eat your heart out.

RPK ~ Kitchener, Ontario
This exceptional business entrepreneur is a "World Leader".

Take a moment and think ~ What does this investment mean to CANADA / ONTARIO.

1: New Arena ~ JOBS !
2: New Staff ~ JOBS !
3: New Goods ~ JOBS !
4: New Mgmt ~ JOBS !

Lets get behind this initiative, and email the NHL Management, (the ole boys club), and raise a Loud Canadian Uproar to them blocking any move to stop this good business move.

Go Jim Go, we the public are behind your efforts & best of luck to you in the future.

Rob
This guy really wants to have a team... more than any current NHL owner. Give him that team!!!!!

MW in Thunder Bay
Who cares? It's hockey. Now if this were an NFL or MLB story ....

MAL
Many, many problems here.

Anything south of Toronto would have a serious effect on Detroit and Buffalo, and economically Detroit could be in serious trouble anyways since their city is sadly, broke.

Buffalo perennially is in trouble, as are Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa. not all at the same time but there's usually a fire burning under one of the teams.

Copps is no where near NHL ready, London does not have the population base, nor does Kitchener. Windsor is striving to just stay afloat, never mind support a new venture. That leaves Toronto with two teams....

Boy, if they think we're arrogant NOW....

Kevin in Ottawa
Excellent move. Let's let him have a franchise. He loves the game, will keep a team alive, and give S. Ontario another option. Don't let Betts and the Maple Leafs ruin this just for the sake of greed and power.

Keith Landry
Solid ownership, linked to NHL royalty in a Canadian location with a fan base has my support. Gary, please have some vision on this opportunity.

Keith in Regina