In an independent report filed for Federal Industry
Minister John Manley on the financial state of Canada's six
NHL teams, Public Policy Forum (PPF) Chair David Zussman
"found no consensus among the three levels of governments,
the six [NHL] teams and the [NHLPA] on how to assist
financially struggling Canadian franchises," according to
McIlroy, Maki, Kerr & Shoalts of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL,
who write that with the report, there is "almost no hope a
deal can be worked out." The report noted the different
views of the parties involved: NHL players, the BC
government and Toronto and Vancouver "recognize that there
is a problem but believe the solution is in the hands of
other stakeholders," while the NHL, Alberta and Edmonton and
Calgary "believe they have contributed their fair share and
are not willing to pitch in any more money." The PPF said
that it is "not worth holding another hockey summit" like
the one in June "because the governments and groups are so
far apart." Senators Chair Rod Bryden, on the report: "I'm
not despondent." Canucks GM Brian Burke added, "If that's
[the] government's answer that there will be no help. Start
the clock [on a team move]." Flames Vice Chair Harley
Hotchkiss: "I can't sugar coat it. I'm disappointed" (GLOBE
& MAIL, 10/26). Bryden: "I hope what this report will do is
cause the three levels of government to recognize someone
better get off the dime and make something happen" (CP,
10/26). In Toronto, Jeffrey Simpson writes that critics
believe Bryden is "bluffing" about moving, but "he's not.
If help isn't offered to ease his onerous tax load, he'll
tell the NHL governors at their December meeting that the
Senators will be playing somewhere else in 2000-2001." If
Bryden "snaps up an available U.S. market, the rush will be
on from owners" of other Canadian NHL teams "to grab the
remaining [U.S.] markets" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/26).
