[ernie]

While it is clearly a power play to pressure and leverage the lawmakers (see Pengins and Kansas City, The Patriots and Hartford) the Oilers do need a new facility or they will start to sink financially. Now obviously having a team capable of making the playoffs would help in that regard but they are leaving a lot of potential money on the table that they wouldn't with a new facility.

We can argue night and day over if that is the correct thing to do. If it's slimey or not. But the end result for a city like Edmonton (and Calgary), losing the NHL team would be a tremendous blow financially to many many businesses. Due to that these visits to other cities with facilities or soon to be facilities can create significant leverage....but only if you are ready to follow through on it. If he's simply bluffing and won't move the team then it is all for not and pointless. Thing is, I don't tend to think rich business men tend to bluff. Seattle may be a very distant plan B or even C or D but it is likely a plan he is ready to execute if need be.