By Mike Sunnucks | Phoenix Business Journal
National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman said today the league continues to talk about ownership groups about buying the Phoenix Coyotes and keeping them in Glendale.
The question for the Coyotes’ future in Arizona is whether the NHL has begun or might already be talking to potential team buyers in other markets. Quebec City, suburban Toronto, Seattle, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas and Portland could all be in the mix if the NHL starts looking at the relocation option for the Coyotes.
That is what happened in 2011 when the Atlanta Thrashers were sold to a deep-pocketed ownership group that moved the team to Winnipeg.
That same group — True North Sports & Entertainment — had also talked to the NHL about buying and moving the Coyotes.
The NHL had the sale and move of the Thrashers to Winnipeg ready to go right after the 2011 season.
Coyotes fans do not want to see that happen after this season.