NHL
Councillor asks Sabres to back team
The Buffalo Sabres have been silent from the start on the prospect of the Phoenix Coyotes moving to Hamilton, Ont.
At first, it was because minority owner Larry Quinn didn’t put much credence into the seemingly slim possibility of a team moving in up the road. Now, with the uncertainty regarding the pending outcome of the Coyotes’ bankruptcy case, there is more silence by virtually all parties involved.
Nonetheless, a Hamilton city councillor isn’t pleased with the lack of chatter. Sam Merulla, who represents Ward 4, has issued a release calling for the Sabres to back a team in his city or risk facing a boycott.
Merulla has already called on his constituents to boycott the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“The Buffalo Sabres’ silence is deafening on the issue of Hamilton’s NHL bid,” Merulla said in the release. “If the Buffalo Sabres’ silence means that they are working against Hamilton’s bid, then Hamilton and the surrounding area residents should join in boycotting the Buffalo Sabres along with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Clearly, a Hamilton NHL team is long overdue, and Hamilton is extremely deserving of a NHL team, and with the support of the neighboring NHL communities it would facilitate this endeavor with less obstacles.”
The Sabres are expected to make a statement following the bankruptcy ruling by Judge Redfield T. Baum, which could come today. Baum suggested at Tuesday’s hearing that the NHL and Jim Balsillie, who has a $212.5 million offer to buy the Coyotes and move them to Hamilton, determine a relocation fee. But the magistrate said Thursday he will deal with the fee issue in his ruling.
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