Maple Leafs Not Opposed To Second NHL Team In Toronto
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Burke Says NHL Would Have To
Make Case For Second Toronto Team |
The Maple Leafs are "not opposed to a second NHL team setting up shop in the Greater Toronto Area," according to Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Maple Leafs President & GM Brian Burke yesterday said, "If the league ever comes to us and says: `Look guys, it's time,' and makes the case, then we've got to listen. You've got to make the case. ... Show me that you have a building that can generate NHL economics. In this case here, show me the team works here without unduly harming the two existing teams (Toronto and Buffalo)." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly earlier in the day said that the league "had the power to put a second team in Toronto even if the Leafs objected." Daly: "Ultimately, if it makes sense from a league perspective, I'm sure it will happen. But that doesn't mean that's any time in the foreseeable future." The Leafs in a letter to the league that came to light during the Coyotes' bankruptcy proceedings "disputed the NHL's position on relocation," though Burke said that the letter "had not been the Leafs' position." Burke: "The Toronto Maple Leafs have never taken the position that if the league comes to us and makes the case that this makes sense for the National Hockey League, that we won't look at that. We never said that" (TORONTO STAR, 11/10). Daly noted a club can be "dead-set against" the relocation of a team into a certain market, but added "that doesn't mean they can stop the league from putting a franchise here if the league thinks a franchise here makes sense." But the NHL constitution states, "No franchise shall be granted for a home territory within the home territory of a member, without the written consent of such member." The constitution gives teams "exclusive territorial rights in the city in which it is located and within 80 kilometres from that city's corporate limits" (CBC.ca, 11/9).
DON'T FORGET ABOUT US: Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger believes that the city "remains in the running for an NHL franchise," even if Daly "appears to be as cold as ice to the possibility." Daly yesterday "rejected the notion that Copps Coliseum would house" a second southern Ontario franchise. But Eisenberger said, "I think what he said was at this point there is no concrete arrangement on the table for Hamilton but he certainly didn't dismiss or suggest in any way, shape or form that Hamilton was excluded" (HAMILTON SPECTATOR, 11/10).
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