I have seen this idea bandied about the internet the last few days - can you imagine if the NHL decided to just fold the
Phoenix Coyotes and hold a
dispersal draft?
David Shoalts, the Globe and Mail --- Bettman has long refused to consider moving the Coyotes. Doing so now would be difficult but not impossible. But the only candidate with an arena that could be whipped into NHL shape quickly is Quebec City and Bettman has never shown enthusiasm for that move.
In some NHL circles, a more drastic solution is envisioned. The Coyotes could simply be folded, its 23 players sent to other NHL teams through a dispersal draft and the league would operate with 29 teams next season.
This would allow the NHL to collect expansion fees of $200-million or more each from Seattle and Quebec City, the top candidates for NHL teams, rather than a single relocation fee of $60-million or so for the Coyotes. That is a gain of at least $200-million if a total loss of $200-million is assumed on the NHL's investment in the Coyotes.
However, this would create legal headaches with lenders holding the Coyotes franchise as collateral and probably the NHL Players’ Association. So the NHL’s longest limbo dance will continue for now but a nasty choice could be coming quickly.
It would appear that the NHL and the city of Glendale are running out of options, there are only three options. 1.) Find a buyer that wants to keep the Coyotes in the Phoenix area - they have a potential buyer
but there seems to be a few sticking points that could slow up the sale. 2.) move the team out of the Phoenix area to another city that wants to have a NHL team. 3.) Fold the team.
