Potential Buyer – Wolves in Coyotes Clothing?

26 Oct 2009

Gary Bettman, ice edge group, ice edge holdings, Jerry Reinsdorf, Jim Balsillie, saskatoon

I'll Huff and I'll Puff and I'll Take Your Team to Canada.....

During the course of the bankruptcy debaucle with the Phoenix Coyotes, we were introduced to the Ice Edge Holdings Group. This group of various businessmen from Toronto put a bid in to buy the Coyotes in competition with Jim Balsillie and Jerry Reinsdorf (Chicago sports king)

A lot of the details surrounding their bid were very murky but one thing was made very clear, they wanted the Coyotes to play various games in Saskatoon. This included a playoff game or two if the team made it that far. Much speculation was made on how this was going to work. What would the team name be? How many games would be played elsewhere? Would Ice Edge have the right to permanently move the team if they so chose?

When Ice Edge withdrew their bid after things really started looking hairy, the point seemed moot. However, the NHL has been in talks with the group since the season started and now the word is that they are getting even closer to a deal. With Monday meetings between the group and Gary Bettman on the horizon, one can only wonder what the fate of the team is and where Ice Edge fits into the picture.

Fans’ concerns still remain the same:

- How many games will be played points North?

- Will success in Canada spell disaster for the team staying in the valley?

- Should the Coyotes make the playoffs will we really have to play some of those games outside of Phoenix?

- How can you develop a better fan following by sharing the team with another country?

By keeping the details of their plan secret due to the “uniqueness” (their word, not mine) of their proposal, I am leery of the situation. This seems like a perfect way to drag my boys to Canada and hold them hostage. With fan attendance lagging and the skeleton crew that is the Phoenix Coyotes staff, it would appear that this is a prime opportunity for the Ice Edge guys to take the players and run. The only saving grace seems to be Bettman who has been swearing up and down that the ultimate goal is to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix.

As with anything, time will tell and hopefully Bettman will keep his promise to the hockey fans of Phoenix. But I still can’t help feeling like the team is Little Red Riding Hood headed right for the Big Bad Ice Edge.