[chilltown]

from TSN: Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie 5/23/2007 11:55:57 PM


Jim Balsillie is at it again.


After a failed bid to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources tell TSN the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Research In Motion has an agreement in place to purchase the Nashville Predators.


The transaction is subject to league approval and that may take some time – sources suggest weeks as opposed to days – and it remains to be seen whether that approval will be granted.


Balsillie's proposed deal to purchase the Penguins fell apart in large part because of conditions set by the NHL. That was because the NHL believed strongly in Pittsburgh as an NHL market and did not want Balsillie buying and moving the team. It's no secret Balsillie would like to put a second NHL franchise in southern Ontario, either in Hamilton or the Kitchener-Waterloo region. Whether the league would look more favorably on a relocating of the Predators remains to be seen, but serious questions about the long-term viability of the Nashville market have been raised this season.

[peg_city]

Nashville attendance was horrible considering how good they were during the regular season. Hopefully this will happen. Canadian love hockey.

[blueandwhite]

My vote always goes to hamilton - a hockey town with no hockey team.

[peg_city]

If Balsillie buys the team its gone to Waterloo no if, and's or but's. But first the NHL has to approve the deal. He has the money to do it, tried to do it with the penguins and is from Waterloo.

[blueandwhite]

Yeah, what i heard is, hamilton won't get the team since then they owe any nhl teams within a certain kilometre radius - ie they would owe the leafs alot of $$ to be able to play that close to them.
so if they go to waterloo, they owe nobody nothing.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Maybe they can become "Canada's Predators" and play a schedule across Canada...they would be loved where ever they go, because that city gets a Canadian team for a series or two...then, the best supporting city gets a franchise next year...

With that in mind, can Toronto or Montreal support two teams?...or are the cities too small?

[blueandwhite]

impossible. toronto is leaf town and habs rule in montreal. No room? No way.
I'm excited to get another Canadian team no matter what. hey maybe kariya's coming back to canada finally.

[peg_city]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

impossible. toronto is leaf town and habs rule in montreal. No room? No way.
I'm excited to get another Canadian team no matter what. hey maybe kariya's coming back to canada finally.

Agreed. The Toronto Roadrunners average around 3000 people a game in the AHL. Steven Brunt was talking about possible relocations.

1. Waterloo is Basille buys the team
2. Kansas City Have and owner and a Arena (NBA might get there first)

Others: Winnipeg (new arena and fan support), Seattle (if the Supersonics leave Seattle become a very distinct possibility, Las Vegas (have a owner in Hollywood who has money and wants a team.

[blueandwhite]

please, not vegas. it seems so cheap.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

impossible. toronto is leaf town and habs rule in montreal. No room? No way.
I'm excited to get another Canadian team no matter what. hey maybe kariya's coming back to canada finally.

You saying that Toronto isn't big enough (hearted or otherwise) to have a sister team...shame...shame...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

please, not vegas. it seems so cheap.

But think of the Uniforms...the Vegas Elvises...in a white rhinestone studded jersey...can you picture it?...players growing chops...hockey stick and guitar logo on with a background of gaudy buildings, dice, and cards...

I mean, hey, I can picture it really...

[blueandwhite]

There's so much these days that you can't believe is real, like Rocky VI and a realty series based on ex wives getting back at their husbands hosted by marla trump - so vegas with a team wearing studs? it's probably going to happen.
It's a big joke. is vegas a hockey loving town? NO. is it all about $$? YES.

[blueandwhite]

Bettman says he is intrigued by the idea of putting more teams up here in the - as "they" call it - the Great White North (just so you know, it's 29 degrees Celsius and hot today).
His only considerations for possible team locations? Quebec City and Winnipeg.

[MJHMarc]

I would go with Hamilton because Winnipeg already had their chance.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

There's so much these days that you can't believe is real, like Rocky VI and a realty series based on ex wives getting back at their husbands hosted by marla trump - so vegas with a team wearing studs? it's probably going to happen.
It's a big joke. is vegas a hockey loving town? NO. is it all about $$? YES.

You are such a pureist...(***shakes head***)...I like to think I am more of a visionary...I can see Vegas going big and bring the NHL up with it...well of course, as long as Gretzky and his wife stay away from the team that is....