On the Calgary Flames …
John Shannon: Also at yesterday’s meeting, Murray Edwards gave an update on the arena situation in Calgary and said that he wasn’t optimistic about a new arena for the Flames.
On Carolina Hurricanes sale …
Pierre LeBrun: The sale of the Carolina Hurricanes is not final, but there is a purchase agreement. The sale won’t be final until the NHL’s vetting process is complete.
Pierre LeBrun: Tom Dundon is buying 52 percent of the Hurricanes for just under $500 million. It is not a full cash deal, with Dundon taking on some debt.
Pierre LeBrun: If the deal is approved, Dundon will have the option to purchase the remaining 48 percent from Karmanos in three years.
Darren Dreger: Gary Bettman said that the Hurricanes would be staying in Carolina.
Frank Seravalli: Bettman added that any reports or rumors that the Hurricanes would be moving from Carolina are “fabricated” and “they’re just not true.”
Frank Seravalli: As part of the NHL’s standard clause when a team is being sold is that the new owner can not apply for relocation for seven years.
On Seattle …
Darren Dreger: The executive committee discussed Seattle expansion yesterday.
Elliotte Friedman: Think that the NHL could allow Seattle to do a ticket drive as they did for Vegas to test the level of interest.
Frank Seravalli of TSN: The NHL has invited potential Seattle owner’s David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer to formally apply for an expansion team.
“That doesn’t mean we have granted an expansion team,” Bettman said. “We have agreed as a league to take and consider an expansion application and to let them run a season-ticket drive in the next few months.”
Bettman said he thinks it would be a good market and they would have a built-in rivalry already with Vancouver. He added the area already has an interest in hockey, but they still need to do their homework.
On Wednesday the city signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the Oak View Group for a $600 million renovation for KeyArena.
Chris Daniels: All 31 NHL teams were asked yesterday if they would object to an expansion application from Seattle. Not one team objected.
Darren Dreger: The confirmed expansion fee would be $650 million.
Steve Carp: “FYI, Seattle has a Stanley Cup championship to its credit. The 1917 Seattle Metropolitans defeated the Montreal Canadiens. I have no idea if the Seattle fans chanted “Let’s Go Mets!” But they probably did.”
On Quebec City …
Dan Rosen: Quebec City is not included in their round of expansion talk, only Seattle. Quebec City is not off the NHL’s radar, but due to the Conference imbalance, the 32nd team should be in the West.
