My translation from RDS: According to RDS reports, an important announcement will be made this coming Thursday or Friday about the construction of a new arena in Québec City. Régis Labeaume, the mayor of Québec, and Marcel Aubut, the former president of the Québec Nordiques held a private meeting Friday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in New York. Bettman recently declared that the eventual return of an NHL team to "La Vielle Capitale" is inextricably linked to the construction of a new arena. Though he gave no guarantee, the commissioner added that Québec's candidature could be considered with expansion or the movement of another team. According to The [Québec] Sun, the mayor Labeaume envisions using the same space as a concert venue and a hockey arena. The project will cost an estimated $400 million. The federal government will be solicited for support. Their contributions are expected to reach $175 million. It is worth noting that it will be exactly 30 years ago on October 10 that the Nordiques played their first game in the NHL at the old Colisée. Note: this is also being reported at Radio-Canada and Le Soleil.
Third potential bidder for Phoenix Coyotes, Ice Edge LLC, ‘do not currently intend to participate' in Friday's auction The fight for the Phoenix Coyotes is down to Jim Balsillie and the NHL. In a court filing late Tuesday afternoon, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the third potential bidder, a group of Canadian and American businessmen known as Ice Edge LLC, told him they "do not currently intend to participate in the auction."
BREAKING Coyotes BK: Reinsdorf Group statement blames "unwilling seller" chilling negotiations. Says it could not reach lease deal w/G'dale.
Dear Mr. Bettman:
Why not?
It's a simple question being asked by Canadian hockey fans like me. The nation that has the deepest roots and passion for the game of hockey, wants to know why can't we bring a seventh Canadian NHL hockey team to southern Ontario?
The NHL has already approved Mr. Balsillie as an NHL owner and in his ruling yesterday Judge Redfield T. Baum recognized that he is an approved NHL owner.
It is clear that Hamilton remains the best location for the Coyotes versus letting it wither in the desert. So why not?
In his ruling Judge Baum also encouraged the NHL and Jim Balsillie to sit down together in mediation to determine what a fair and reasonable relocation fee would be. Mr. Balsillie has said he's willing to participate in mediation. So why not?
We love this game and we know you do too. It's time for discussion. It's time to Make It Seven.
Why Not?
Sincerely a dedicated Canadian hockey fan.
There will be no separate hearing regarding the amount for relocation, if it's determined that Balsille can move the team.
Six! Six Teams in Canada! AH AH AHHH!
A Toronto-based group with a proposal to bring a second NHL team to the Greater Toronto Area says the team would be named the Toronto Legacy and would play out of a 30,000-seat facility built at Downsview Park.
The new facility would have multiple ice pads for public skating, with more seating than the Air Canada Centre. And the team would offer 25 per cent of its proceeds to seven national charities, including Carnegie's Future Aces Scholarship Foundation.
Wow. Yet another group wants into the GTA. This one is different. Instead of working to destabilise the NHL, ripping a team from a city, and basically being a bunch of jerks or being headed by the only person dumb enough to fight Wendel Clark when he didn't have to this proposal is basically run by Mother Teresa's Jamaican-born cousin. Interesting Notes: "The three will unveil how the team will honour "Canadian heroes while supporting cancer research, national scholarships and children's charities." "Tomorrow, the group will talk about its financing, donations, an economic impact review and also unveil the name of a team, arena, jersey, site plan and architect renderings." Balsillie can't even come up with a team name!
A great spoof of a Gary Bettman interview.