Oilers brass eyeing Seattle

[SPTO]

Clearly this is a bargaining ploy but you never know with these things. Here's the article from TSN.

Quote:

Oilers owner Daryl Katz led a group of team brass on a tour of Seattle's KeyArena on Monday, sparking speculation that he may move the team out West if he doesn't get an arena deal finalized in Edmonton. Katz and other Oilers brass – including team president and COO Patrick LaForge and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe - toured the city's multipurpose arena that housed the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics until 2008 when the team left for Oklahoma City. "I can confirm that Daryl Katz, Patrick LaForge, Kevin Lowe and others from the Oilers leadership group are in Seattle for meetings and to attend the Seahawks game," executive vice president of the Edmonton Arena Corporation for the Katz Group Bob Black said in a statement issued Monday night. "We remain committed to working with City Administration to achieve a deal commensurate with what Winnipeg and Pittsburgh have done to sustain the NHL in those small markets. If we can achieve such a deal, the Oilers will remain in Edmonton and we can get on with the important work of developing the new arena and investing in the continued revitalization of Edmonton's downtown core. Nonetheless, and as the City of Edmonton is aware, the Katz Group has been listening to proposals from a number of potential NHL markets for some time. After more than four years of trying to secure an arena deal and with less than 24 months remaining on the Oilers' lease at Rexall Place, this is only prudent and should come as no surprise. We are extremely grateful to Oilers' fans for their patience and loyalty as we work through this process towards what we sincerely hope will be a long and successful future for the Oilers in Edmonton. We have no further comment on the status of our discussions with other markets at this time." The news comes on the heels of reports that Katz was frustrated with Edmonton city council over stalled negotiations for a new arena in Edmonton. Speaking to the Edmonton Journal last week, Katz said, "What's come out of the city over the past several days, to be frank, is unfair, untrue and totally counterproductive if what we're trying to do is secure the Oilers' future in Edmonton and have us participate in the development of a new arena and sports entertainment district."

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Clearly this is a bargaining ploy but you never know with these things. Here's the article from TSN.

Blackmail of the worst kind. Katz, an Edmonton native and one of the 20 richest men in Canada, should be hung from the nearest tree. Since he bought the team, the Oilers have finished 21st, 30th, 30th, and 29th in the standings, all while charging their fans the 4th highest ticket prices in the NHL (higher ticket prices than the Canucks last year!). The Oilers made more profit in 2011 than every US team except for the Rangers (17M, 5th most in the league). Not a prayer he'd ever make more money in Seattle, because he'd still be a tenant in someone else's building. Pure fear-mongering. Edmonton should tell him to GTFO.

NOTE: For those wondering, the NHL arenas in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa were all built with private money. Winnipeg received 30% public financing. The Saddledome in Calgary was completely paid for by the public as part of the 1988 Olympics.

[liberaluser]

I really hate it when rich jerks of any sport demand millions in tax payer money be wasted on their pet project arenas or they threaten to leave like a spoiled child.

Just another way for the owners to line their own pockets with no real economic benefit to the public footing the bill.

[ThatOneBender]

I really hope Seattle gets a team but its gotta be from like Phoenix or something the Oilers gotta stay in Alberta.

[18 eighty 5]

I can't believe this!! I have just made the decision to follow the Oilers as my team after getting fed up with Phoenix. I am no fickle supporter, but I detest the issue that besets the NHL because of big business people who don't seem appreciative of what the sport means to the people. I want to go for a Canadian team, but one that will actually stay in Canada. I wish the Nordiques were still onboard. I do like the Avs, maybe I could go for them instead of a Canadian team?

No, if not Edmonton, perhaps Montreal. Wait, Montreal and Colorado, that could work...and the Islanders.

[Dirty Turtles]

Quote: Originally Posted by 18 eighty 5

I can't believe this!! I have just made the decision to follow the Oilers as my team after getting fed up with Phoenix. I am no fickle supporter, but I detest the issue that besets the NHL because of big business people who don't seem appreciative of what the sport means to the people. I want to go for a Canadian team, but one that will actually stay in Canada. I wish the Nordiques were still onboard. I do like the Avs, maybe I could go for them instead of a Canadian team? No, if not Edmonton, perhaps Montreal. Wait, Montreal and Colorado, that could work...and the Islanders.

This is why I'm an Avs fan. I used to like the Nordiques, and so I moved with them when they went to Denver.

[18 eighty 5]

I remember back in the very early 90s here in Australia we would get a 1 hour nhl highlights show and I saw the Nordiques play. I think I will start a playoff series or a new BaGM in nhl 13 as the Avs. That is one way to see if it sticks. Very grateful for the old Quebec throwback jerseys in the game. I like the old logo, simple but cool.