The GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts writes Renaissance Sports & Entertainment's proposed deal with the NHL to buy the Coyotes "hinges on an arena lease, but it does look like the deal will not be ready in time for a council vote at its next public meeting on June 25." Glendale "needs to finalize its 2013-14 budget by July 1, and the NHL needs to get its 2013-14 schedule out around the same time." Neither has "issued a deadline but realistically cannot let things drag out much past the first week in July." If the Coyotes "need to be moved quickly, then Seattle and Quebec City are the only possible locations" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/20).
LOYAL TO A FAULT? In Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan writes it "had to be tough for disillusioned fans" of the Sabres, the "ones who believe [GM Darcy Regier] should be replaced, to hear that [Owner Terry Pegula] still has an unqualified belief in his GM." Pegula "doesn't see Regier as the problem but as the perfect man to lead the Sabres out of the wilderness." Pegula "tries to come off as some folksy regular guy." Sullivan: "But what I've detected lately is an aloof arrogance, a disdain for anyone who dares question how he runs his hockey team. It's not Regier who is the problem, it's the nasty media that keeps poking holes in the operation. I'm convinced that one of the reasons Pegula has dug in on Regier is he doesn't want the critics to be right" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/20).
FEATHERING THEIR NEST: In Philadelphia, Les Bowen cites an Eagles spokesperson as saying that "about 130,000 free tickets to the five training camp dates at Lincoln Financial Field have been distributed in the first 2 days since they became available." Originally, only the lower bowl "was designated, but today the team made 6,500 upper-bowl seats available, and said it will continue opening up sections as needed" in the 69,144-seat venue (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/20).
SKY BALKER: Triple-A PCL Colorado Springs Sky Sox President & GM Tony Ensor said that the team "is not leaving the city." Ensor yesterday said, "There is definitely no chance the Sky Sox will leave Colorado Springs." In Colorado, Joe Paisley reports Ensor's comments came "in response to a statement" by Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach on Tuesday "when he said he thought the city is in danger of losing the franchise without a new stadium." Bach has "led the charge for a new multiuse downtown building" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 6/20).
