Those of us at OSG HQ unofficially polled our sources that work the hockey beat for some insight on the whole Coyotes-to-Hamilton idea...
They're split on what will work best... and what will work...
Ideas range from the Balsillie franchise being the tertiary ((that's "third," kids)) tenant in the ACC- and that being the best idea over time ((albeit very difficult to pull off for the 2nd NHL franchise))- to having the team start at the ACC while Copps Coliseum is being retrofitted... to being in Copps from the absolute beginning.
News coverage on OSG Sports from our friends at CHCH-TV in Hamilton gives the impression that Copps, as is, is ready to go.
As far as the Balsillie-Bettman relationship goes, one of our sources close to the situation thinks it's silly for The Bettman to hold a grudge against someone that has plenty of money and passion for the sport. But we figure it'll be a fight to the death...
NHL UPDATE: via Howard Bloom/Twitter late Thursday night
It looks like Vancouver businessman Tom Gagliardi is interested in buying the Coyotes and moving them to Hamilton as well. Gagliardi made a play for the Canucks once before.
Gagliardi is bump-drafting off Balsillie and trying to give the NHL another, less combative, option as an owner. You'll remember Gagliardi was one of the guys embroiled in the whole Aquilini/McCaw showdown for the Canucks in 2005.
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