[getbak]

Since Bouw N Arrow's post was at exactly midnight Arizona time, I'm going to assume it was a joke.

However, as I've said before, I don't know why it's assumed that once the NHL declares Glendale unworkable they'll automatically relocate the franchise to Winnipeg. SCH (who I believe is a former employee of the Moose and likely still has connections with True North) has been pretty adamant for months that there's a deal in place behind the scenes to move the Thrashers to Winnipeg next season.

I wonder if they'd really undermine the sale of one team to get rid of another? It's not a precedent I would want to set if I were an owner.

Also, once relocation is on the table, you have to think that the asking price goes up quite a bit, so even if they have to operate the team in Phoenix for another year, the increased purchase price could offset the operational losses. It would also help keep the value of all franchises higher, which is the long-term benefit.

I wouldn't be surprised if they let the Thrashers sale and move proceed as planned, and declare the Coyotes to be a "mobile" franchise. Then, they could run the sale very much like an expansion and sell the Coyotes to the city with the best offer.

This would have a potential side benefit of letting all the owners who might be looking to sell in the near future make contact with people who want to be NHL owners.