Bettman Speaks on Coyotes' Unrest

The NHL hasn't had a franchise relocation since the Hartford Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. Longtime commissioner Gary Bettman appears determined to keep that record intact.

Upon news that the Phoenix Coyotes had filed for bankruptcy and that owner wannabe Jim Balsillie had made a bid for the franchise, Bettman and the league reacted quickly. Based on what has been said in the last 18 hours, you can bet they're going to do what they can to keep the Coyotes in Glendale.

The league released a statement late Tuesday evening expressing their initial displeasure with the move by Phoenix owner Jerry Moyes.

"We have removed Jerry Moyes from all positions of authority to act for or on behalf of the Club. The League will appear and proceed before the Bankruptcy Court in the best interests of all of the Club's constituencies, including its fans in Arizona and the League's 29 other Member Clubs."

Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly were on the offensive Wednesday, making it clear they are not giving up on Glendale as a viable hockey market.

"This is not about whether or not we want a franchise in southern Ontario and whether or not Mr. Balsillie would make a suitable owner that the (NHL) owners would approve," explained Bettman. "This is about the League rules and the enforceability of our rules, whether or not Mr. Moyes even had the authority to file a bankruptcy petition is something we're going to get into. This is more about the tactic and I think a challenge to League rules than it is about economic conditions of the club, which we believe, with new ownership and with accommodations the city of Glendale is prepared to make, we think can succeed."

Meanwhile, Scott Burnside of ESPN.com notes that Bettman wasn't terribly pleased with the timing of Tuesday's move by Moyes.

Bettman's skepticism is in part fueled by the timing of Tuesday's events. The Arizona Republic and TSN of Canada reported that Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly were in Phoenix that day to work out a deal -- something Moyes was informed of on Monday.

That deal, TSN reported, would put the franchise in the hands of Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Earl Scudder, Moyes' financial adviser, told the Republic that Bettman and Daly had wanted to give Moyes the proposal on Tuesday.

In the meantime, however, Moyes pursued actions that resulted in his filing for bankruptcy, thereby thwarting the league's plans. Bettman and Daly found out about the bankruptcy filing at 3:30 p.m. local time, according to the Republic.

He also says that Balsillie needs to stop with the missteps if he is to ever be an NHL owner, in Hamilton or elsewhere.

Guess what? Balsillie is not the only rich guy in the room, although his actions regularly suggest he thinks he is. And trying to put the NHL in a headlock and make it say, "Uncle! You can be an owner" is never going to play. Not with Bettman as commissioner. That's why this latest scheme smacks of trying not just to land a team, but to create a pressure point where the NHL owners have to decide between Bettman and Balsillie.

Clearly, Balsillie has money and a passion for hockey. It's going to take more than that. Even though moving to a new market can be risky, there's little doubt that a franchise in Hamilton would be successful. Being a new owner, Balsillie can't afford to anger other owners or Bettman if he wants to be the one to reap the benefits of a move into that area.