So... Hamilton hockey fans... do you think Balsillie will pull it off? Looks like he will have to inject another 100M$ just to shut that idiot Bettman up.

In the meantime, the Panthers are sold with no fuss.

My opinion? The NHL is afraid of Balsillie. A billionaire with an opinion. They rather sell to complete millionaire idiots like Charles Wang in Long Island and Koules and his buddy in Tampa Bay that f**k up everything.

But if he brings a team to Hamilton... buh-bye Buffalo...

At least it is better than that dreamer hoping for an EXPANSION team in northern Toronto... the Legacy. There are 8-10 teams in financial trouble... I doubt that the NHL will expand again. the chances are better to see a European division. I'd even say that the chances of an expansion team appearing in Toronto are less than the KHL being merged with the NHL just like the WHL did.  

I've been following along somewhat (signed the petition, so I get the updates).  Basically, the problem is that the NHL is owned by a bunch of old-style billionaires who want to A) keep the teams as US as possible and B) only sell to friends or people they know.  It also doesn't help that Toronto and Buffalo are both trying to stop it because it'll mean they'll have to lower their ticket and concession prices.

Balsillie wants a team because he really loves hockey, and wants to make it affordable for blue collar Canadians to actually see a live NHL game.  Go figure.  

That being said.. I think Bettman and his friends are too powerful, so it'll never happen.

Quoted from machine.slave

I've been following along somewhat (signed the petition, so I get the updates).  Basically, the problem is that the NHL is owned by a bunch of old-style billionaires who want to A) keep the teams as US as possible and B) only sell to friends or people they know.  It also doesn't help that Toronto and Buffalo are both trying to stop it because it'll mean they'll have to lower their ticket and concession prices.

Balsillie wants a team because he really loves hockey, and wants to make it affordable for blue collar Canadians to actually see a live NHL game.  Go figure.  

That being said.. I think Bettman and his friends are too powerful, so it'll never happen.

I don't think it will affect the Leafs in any way. proof? They suck bad, charge the highest ticket prices, and STILL sell out. The Sabres have been down many times, and apparently the town is dead. Maybe it is time to move the Sabres to Winnipeg or Quebec...

I think Bettman is an idiot but he gets way too much blame for what's happening here.

Facts:  Leafs and Buffalo are very protective of their territorial rights
Facts:  NHL don't have a problem with a sale of teams, it's relocation that is an issue.
Facts:  Bassilie doesn't appear to be a team player. If you're in the shoes of the owners, wouldn't he scare you?  If the very first time, he'd followt the process instead of selling tickets to a team he didn't even have, I think there's a good chance the NHL would have been enticed to at least work with him. Right now, he's burned every bridge and he only has himself to blame.

Misfacts:  This thing with Bettman being anti-Canadian. I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I thought I heard the NHL was the only pro-sport that has compensated owners in the past for the US-Canadian dollar inequity.  The only pro sport.  Does that sound like someone who doesn't care about teams in Canada?
Misfacts:  The Sens could have been bought and moved to a city in the US and the same mentality behind not moving the Phoenix team is the reason why the Ottawa Senators are not called the KAnsas City Senators.

Hey, let's be clear, one of the major reasons for NHL not moving a team is because they get a franchise fee that is split up to all the other owners. Do not mistake this with the rumoured "Franchise transfer fee" which the majority of the recipients would be the Leafs and Buffalo.  On that note, I think Bettmen, the board of gov and the leafs/Sabres in particular can go suck something.

Quoted from The Loafer

Facts:  Bassilie doesn't appear to be a team player. If you're in the shoes of the owners, wouldn't he scare you?  If the very first time, he'd followt the process instead of selling tickets to a team he didn't even have, I think there's a good chance the NHL would have been enticed to at least work with him. Right now, he's burned every bridge and he only has himself to blame.

I will have to disagree very strongly with this statement.  Reason being you are totally forgetting about Jim's very first attempt to purchase an NHL team... the Pen's.  He played by the rules in every aspect during that purchase, had a deal done, and at the last minute "La Commisionaire" threw in a whack load of BS stipulations which ANY prospective buyer would have never agreed to. (not to mention he was more than willing to keep the Pen's in Pitt's at that point)

So after dealing with "GB" on the Pen's deal and getting the shaft (and tossing who knows HOW much $$ into the street during the process), how would you expect Jim to play by the rules with any other potential team purchase?  I know I wouldn't!  He wants a team, and good on him for sticking to it, and being creative on how to get one.  Thinking outside the box is a good thing.

Some may not agree with Jim's tactics, and I'm not convinced his plan will work, but what I do like is how the latest offer to purchase has exposed Betman and the NHL for what they really are...

D