There have been "expressions of interests" from parties in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to "purchase, relocate and house an NHL franchise" in the city's Credit Union Centre, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.ca. The interested parties "have contacted the league and suggested there are individuals or parties in Saskatoon who would be willing to ante up the required purchase fee while various levels of government in Saskatchewan would make necessary arrangements to expand and make NHL-suitable the 15,800-seat Credit Union Centre." Even though Saskatoon's population is "around 250,000 -- which at face value would seem to be far too small to support an NHL franchise -- the Saskatoon interests are pitching that an NHL franchise there would be supported by the entire province and it would be a viable operation." Still, if the NHL is "faced with relocating another franchise -- those options may have to be legitimately explored in the coming weeks or months with regards to the long-term future of the Phoenix Coyotes -- the most logical landing-spot candidates are Seattle, Quebec City, Kansas City and perhaps Las Vegas" (TSN.ca, 3/1). Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison said that an ownership group that approached the NHL about a franchise in the city "is legitimate, but it will be up to the league's board of governors if the proposal goes further." Atchison: "They're exceedingly serious, make no bones about that. But it doesn't matter how serious the ownership group is. ... It will be up to the NHL what occurs in the end" (Saskatoon STARPHOENIX, 3/2).
