The Waterloo Coyotes?

Jim Balsillie (pictured) is offering $212.5 million to purchase the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and move them to a location in Southern Ontario which is technically undisclosed but even more technically Hamilton.

(I thought I'd blogged about Balsille's previous efforts to buy Nashville/Pittsburgh, but a trip through the archives reveals that to be false. However, I must commend myself and Dan on our excellent ability to see the future, especially as it pertains to the Brantford Commons.)

Realistically, Copps Coliseum in Hamilton would be nothing more than a temporary home - something to hold the new team for a couple of years while Balsillie builds a brand new arena just off the 401 on whatever parcel of land he thinks is best.

Obviously, every city seems convinced that they're going to be the long-term home of the Coyotes - whether it's Hamilton, Kitchener, Cambridge, Brantford, London, or what have you. James Bow had one of the more interesting proposals I've seen - don't give the team a home city, move them around a bit. Maybe (and this is his generality, my specifics) ten games each in Hamilton, London, Toronto, and Kitchener, with the remaining home game being in a different southern Ontario small town each year.

The benefits to this plan? It's a team for the whole region, not just a city - which could be useful in getting people to switch their allegiance from the Leafs. Season ticket packages are affordable for the average person, since it's only ten games in your city. People wouldn't have to travel as far to go to games, they'd just wait until the team came to the closest city.

The drawbacks? London and Kitchener have good-sized junior arenas, but they're pretty small for an NHL team, which means less money in ticket sales. Some players might not want to play for the Wanderers, on the grounds that they wouldn't have a true 'hometown' during the season. Along the same lines, lack of the intimate familiarty most players have with the arena they play 41 games a year in.

Overall, it's a pipe dream. The scenario I suggested above - a few years at Copps until a new arena is ready - is far more likely. But it doesn't really matter, as the Coyotes are staying in Phoenix.

I know, I know. Canadians are outraged that Gary Bettman, the man who was so eager to sell Canadian teams south of the border, is blocking Balsillie from purchasing and moving the Coyotes. But would you believe that he's actually following the precedent he set?

When the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix, it was only after it was determined that nobody was willing to buy the team and keep them in Winnipeg. Same for the Quebec Nordiques, who wound up in Denver.

There is an offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes from a potential owner who would keep the team in Phoenix. Believe it or not, Bettman's not in the wrong here. If you want to blame somebody for the Jets and Nordiques flying the coop, blame the Canadian businessmen who refused to step in and help - obviously Americans are a little more willing to do just that.

--Ryan