Posted on 09/25/2012 8:12:16 AM PDT by RitchieAprile
EDMONTON—With a deadline looming to complete a deal to build the Edmonton Oilers a new arena, the team’s brass turned up the heat on city councillors by paying a visit to Seattle.
Oilers owner Daryl Katz, team president Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe were in Seattle on Monday for meetings about a possible relocation to the city, the Oilers said in a statement.
“The Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time,” the statement read.
“After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers’ lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise.”
The team added it would not comment on discussions with other potential markets.
Katz’s visit came the same day that Seattle city council approved hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen’s plan for a $490-million arena that both sides hope will be home to an NBA and NHL team. Seattle lost its NBA team, the Sonics, to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Seattle’s hockey market is limited to the Western Hockey League’s Thunderbirds. The city hasn’t had a professional team since the Metropolitans, who won a Stanley Cup in 1917, were disbanded in 1924.
(Excerpt) Read more at thestar.com ...
Unlikely. If Edmonton moves it would be the equivalent of the
Packers moving to LA. Sounds like a bluff to me.
Unlikely. If Edmonton moves it would be the equivalent of the
Packers moving to LA. Sounds like a bluff to me.
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