Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Shoalts: Leipold has millions of reasons to speak up

DAVID SHOALTS

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 2:06 PM EST 17/06/07

Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. David Miller from Canada writes: If for some reason the NHL doesn't let Jim buy the team, I wonder how many existing owners (even maybe Leipold) in bad markets are going to be looking at Hamilton?

    dm
  2. Rob Kirsic from Brampton, writes: The answer is none because the NHL offices in NYC will poo-poo any attempts to move to Canada. Having another team in Canada, while absolutely amazing here does not draw any interest down south where the NHL still thinks it can do something in those American markets.

    Although I do find it funny that yesterday's sale managed to raise almost the same amount of tickets the team has in Nashville, and I'm sure that number is rising today as more people find out about it.

    What I would love to see if a few more teams (Atlanta, one of the Floridas, Carolina and one of the Cali teams go away) relocate north or to larger markets - Toronto, Houston (although there is no interest there anyways) and such or just disband and create more of a talent pool to improve play. But the day that happensis the day Gary gets fired or he dies haha and that won't happen.

    OH btw, David Miller - don't you have a city to run?? haha
  3. Henry Allen from Toronto, Canada writes: Shoalst: "Bettman is known to wield a quick whip hand to keep the governors in line. Part of his aversion to Balsillie is said to be the perception he will be a perpetual pain as an owner."

    I've been smelling a future battle between Bettman and Balsillie. I'm guessing Balsillie will not put up with Bettman's little Napoleon routine for long. If that happens, I think that's great. Bettman has a problem. He can't afford to lose Balsillie because he's a guy with deep pockets and, like Shoalts said, Leipold would go ballistic if he lost money by being forced to sell the Predators to someone else. But, having Balsillie as an owner will be an endless headache for Bettman. Balsillie could be one of the best things to happen to the NHL in decades. The NHL is a tree that needs its rotten fruit shaken out, starting with Bettman.
  4. Eastern Rebellion from Orillia, Canada writes: I don't think Bettman will have the stomach for a long drawn out fight with Balsillie. I think the team will move to Southern Ontario somewhere, however I think Balsillie will end up having to pay off the Leafs and the Sabres. Perhaps that will be part of the asking price for the NHL to allow the sale to go through, a promise by Balsillie that he will compensate the Leafs and the Sabres at their asking price. I think the challenge will be to keep the team operating once it gets here. I still maintain the people in the GTA are Leaf fans, not hockey fans. Look how hard it is to keep the two best teams in the East (Buffalo & Ottawa) going. Neither of these teams consistently sell out. If you can't sell tickets to go and see these guys, how can you sell tickets?
  5. Joseph Daniel from Oakville, Canada writes: Henry Allen I agree with you about the Bettman/Balsillie battle. It seems like JB is saying bring it on. Almost challenging Bettman to kill this bid. Last week Duhatshek was saying JB should tred lightly, so much for that! I say it is about time for someone to take on Little napoleon in NY. Can't wait till they get rid of that guy. He has done more damage to the NHL than Ziegler could ever hope to do.
  6. Henry Allen from Toronto, Canada writes: Joseph Daniel, I don't know Balsillie, but I think it's safe to say that treading lightly is nowhere in his style range when it comes to his business dealings. The fun has just begun.
  7. Rob Kirsic from Brampton, writes: You know what the best part about all this is - this just might be the end of Gary Bettman
  8. Ben Cooper from Medford, NJ, United States writes: David, are you saying that making a small refundable deposit on season tickets is the same as actually owning seasons tickets? Banks require those kinds of minimums to avoid account fees.
  9. terry stortz from paris, Canada writes: Henry-- you're right, this will be the best off-season in a long time. My re-interest in hockey is growing by the hour. I'm practically salivating at the hope that Buttman could meet his Waterloo with this guy from.... Waterloo.
  10. Hogtown Heckler from phoenix, United States writes: The other day I heard that Buttman just received a $2 Million raise? Has anyone else heard this? I heard this on NPR(National Palestinian Radio) so its validity may be suspect.

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top