If no one will step up and support a team where it is, it gets moved eventually. That's the ultimatum every team gets when it is up for sale.
Edmonton didn't get one. However, Bettman and the BoG decided to let Edmonton try 37 small ones together instead, which they were under NO obligation to do. The safe and smart decision would have the Oilers in Houston today. Bettman took the risky and dangerous option instead for the benefit of Albertan and Canadian hockey.
You don't have to like the truth, but it's in the public record.
I find it funnier that you would so quickly turn on the guy when told he was a huge Bettman supporter, and gave Bettman credit for helping save the Oilers in Edmonton. That does not speak well for objectivity.
Personally I think that the real truth of the Edmonton situation lies somewhere between the two polarized stories. First of all the threats to move the team began long before the team was actually sold. In this respect Bettman was certainly a friend of Pocklington's by supporting the threat publically to achieve consessions from Northlands and the City.
Here is an article from the NY Times dated Feb 21, 1993 that shows the Oilers were already talking about moving. The article also suggest, and I think rightfully so, that this is not a simple Canada/US feud, as it seemed that Minnesota was also expendable if it meant getting a foothold in Texas.
http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/21/sports/on-pro-hockey-nhl-s-northern-lights-starting-to-dim.html
As the piece also suggests, at the time, there was serious talk of Northlands buying the team. But in reality Pocklington did not want to sell as it would have meant goodbye to the one thing keeping his empire afloat. Despite his threats he was also not in a position to move the team or it would have brought his whole empire under threat because of the nature of his financing deals. In this respect, the threats to move were very much akin to what Lemieux did to gain the new arena. He said publically that they never intended to sell the Pens and that the whole thing was a game of chicken.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_582923.html
Both schemes were with clear support of Bettman and the NHL.
By 1996-1997 it was clear that the Oilers were in deep trouble. Nichols did a great job leading a season ticket drive that was crucial to keep the Oilers in the city. Then Pocklington came up with his public offering scheme, with his plan to sell 45% of the team. But the Alberta Treasury Branch had had enough with the Puck and forced his hand. The lease was the key here because it forced Pocklington to give local interests time to counter the offer from Alexander.
At this point there is no doubt that Bettman had a positive influence in making the EIG bid work. But there is no question in my mind that they would not have fought the relocation beyond the short specified period. Moreover, it is not clear that the NHL was soley concerned about the great fans in Edmonton, but rather was also very worried about losing a substantial portion of the Canadian footprint. Afterall, Quebec and Winnipeg were already lost and all but the Leafs were under the gun. Losing the Oilers could well have snowballed to the point that the league would be left with only a minimal Canadian presence. It is this latter point that I think is the real link to the Phoenix situation.
The NHL wants the US footprint and views this as a key to its long-term plans. As one of the largest markets in its, region Phoenix is important in this respect. Bettman will fight for this market because it is in his bosses interests not because he is a savior. He fought for Edmonton for the same reason. But he also was a player in the movement of other teams for the exact same reason. As Us teams in markets deemed expendable suffered the same fate as Winnipeg and Quebec, I find it hard to attribute any of this to his hate for Canada.
It is almost ridiculous that we are debating Balsillie and Betmann as gods or devils. In reality both are likely very similar. They are certainly both accomplished individuals who are very used to getting their own way even if it is at the expense of others. Neither is particularly warm and fuzzy, and neither is at all above stretching the truth to benefit their own case.
Finally, I am in agreement with both Bryden and Nichols in that a clear win for Balsillie would have set a bad precedent for Canadian teams like Edmonton and Ottawa that could well see tough times again.
to contact prospective buyers.
